Questions to Ask Your Farmer

Buying directly from a farmer gives you something that can be difficult to
get from a supermarket package: the opportunity to ask how the animal was
actually raised.

About the cattle

• Were the cattle born and raised on your farm?
• What breed or cross are they?
• Do cattle spend time on pasture?
• If animals come from another farm, where do they come from?

About feeding

• What do cattle eat during the grazing season?
• What do they eat during winter?
• Are they grass-finished, grain-finished or combination finished?
• If grain is used, what is fed and for approximately how long?

About animal health

• Are growth-promoting implants used?
• How are antibiotics used when an animal becomes sick?
• What vaccinations are part of the herd-health program?
• How are parasites managed?

About processing

• Which abattoir processes the cattle?
• Is the meat processed through an inspected facility?
• How long is the beef aged?
• Can I complete my own cut sheet?

About the price

• Is pricing based on hanging weight, packaged weight or a flat share price?
• Are processing charges included?
• Is a deposit required?
• Approximately how much packaged beef should I expect?