Questions to consider when purchasing custom orders of beef
Q: What does the term custom order or freezer beef mean?
A: Custom order or freezer beef usually refers to beef ordered in larger quantities, cut and/or packaged to specific meal sizes. It is purchased for future use and stored in a consumer’s deep freeze.
Q: What choices do I have when ordering a specific amount of beef?
A: That depends. What you need to understand are the terms used to describe the various options. A half refers to all the cuts from one half of the carcass when cut from front to back. A quarter refers to either a front or a rear quarter of the carcass. The front quarter included the rib cuts i.e. prime rib roast, or steak, while the rear quarter includes the loin area which includes t-bone steaks and sirloin roasts and steaks. Regardless of which quarter you purchase you will receive some cuts of lesser value like blade steaks and roasts, and some trim which you can use as stew beef or have ground into hamburger. Another option is a split side, with this option you get half the cuts from all areas of one side of the carcass providing a greater variety of cuts. Some producers offer the option of boxed beef. Boxes are assembled to include several roasts, some steaks and some packages of hamburger. They are sold by the weight (50 or 100lb boxes) or the cost ($50.00 or $100.00).
Q: The meat I received weighs less than the amount I paid for. Why?
A: i.e. When you purchase a side of beef, you are charged the dressed weight of that side of carcass in the cooler. As the meat is cut into meal portions, some bone and fat is discarded making up the difference in weight.
Q: What type of beef am I getting?
A: It is best to ask how old the animal is. If the animal is under thirty months of age, it is likely from an animal that has been raised for beef. The younger the beef the more tender it will be.
Q: How is the beef packaged and what will it cost me for packaging?
A: Some meat orders arrive individually cut but not wrapped while others come pre-wrapped. Make sure you ask whether the beef will arrive prepackaged in meal portions, or if you have to package it for yourself which some people prefer. Also check whether the cost of packaging is included in the price you were quoted or if it is an additional cost. Ask if the cuts are labeled; being able to identify the different cuts helps to determine the proper way to cook the meat.
Note: A quarter of an 800lb carcass represents approximately two full banana boxes in volume.
