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Frequently Asked Questions
From Our Family's Farm to Your Family's Fridge
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Where Family Comes First
Dale Family Farms, LLC
526 Avenue K
Protection, KS 67127
620.622.4473
email: thedales@unitedwireless.com
website: www.DaleFamilyFarms.com
Tips & Tastes Parties
BEEF
How is grass-finished beef different than conventionally raised grain-finished beef?
Grass-finished beef is different in several ways from how it’s raised to how it tastes. For a very thorough comparison, check out Eatwild.
Also, I’ve been told by several of our customers that our hamburger doesn’t smell when it’s browned like hamburger they’ve bought at the grocery store. Return to BEEF FAQs
Return to BEEF FAQsAre your cows happy? (Really, I’ve been asked this question more than once.)
First of all (and I had to learn this before Kurt would marry me), we don’t usually process cows (mature females that have had at least one calf) for beef. Usually, it’s steers and heifers. As to the happy part, our cattle spend their lives on pasture and crop residue doing what God intended – grazing.
When do you have beef available?
We have beef available on the farm year round. For a complete listing of what we have and prices see our Price List. We generally have quarters, halves and wholes available in the spring and early fall. Currently, we have a few pre-cut quarters available. Call for info.
Can I get a quarter/half/whole cut how I want?
Yes. We tell the processor that we want split quarters (as opposed to front quarters or hind quarters). We will give you contact information for the processor and then it is the customer’s responsibility to call and give “cutting instructions.” You can decide how you want your steaks cut, how you want your hamburger packaged and a variety of other options. Return to BEEF FAQs
Return to BEEF FAQsWhere is your meat processed?
Currently, we use a federally inspected processing plant in McPherson and we have been very pleased with the finished product and the customer service can't be beat.
Can I have beef processed where I want?
If you are purchasing a whole beef and the distance isn’t too great, we would be willing to bring an animal to a processor of your choice.
If I order a quarter, how much meat will I get?
One 1200 pound steer will produce approximately 430 pounds of meat, a half about 215 pounds and a quarter about 108 pounds. Usually, about half the meat is ground into ground beef. Return to BEEF FAQs
Return to BEEF FAQsIf I decide to order a quarter/half/whole, what will it cost me?
There are three components to the cost of a quarter, half or whole:
- the cost of the animal,
- the cost of the processing and
- the freight to get the animal to the processor.
If you reserve a quarter, half or whole by March 15, the price is $1.45/pound liveweight. After that the price will be $1.50/pound. The processing costs of the processor we are using averages a little over $100/quarter depending on your cutting instructions. Freight is $100 per animal. Here is an example of estimated costs for a 1100 pound animal. All weights and prices are approximate and for example purposes only. We weigh the beeves when they leave the farm.
Cost of animal Approximate Freight TOTAL COST
Approximate Freight TOTAL COST @ $1.45 per pound Processing
Whole $1595 $400 $100 $2095
$1595 $400 $100 $2095Half $800 $200 $50 $1050
$800 $200 $50 $1050Quarter $400 $100 $25 $525
$400 $100 $25 $525Note: This comes to about $5.25/pound of carry-out meat to put in your freezer. A bargain for ribeyes! Return to BEEF FAQs
Return to BEEF FAQsHow much freezer space will I need?
One cubic foot of space will hold approximately 30 pounds of meat. A quarter will require about 3 cubic feet of space; a half, 6 cubic feet; a whole, 12 cubic feet.
How long can I leave beef in the freezer?
Everything I’ve read recommends that beef be eaten within a year of processing. It doesn’t go bad after that long in the freezer but the flavor deteriorates. My recommendation is don’t order more than your family can eat in a year.
How do I place an order?
Just give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll work with you to fill your order. (620.622.4473 or email us) Return to BEEF FAQs
Will you deliver a quarter, half or whole beef?
There will be a delivery fee if we deliver meat from the processor to you. The fee will be determined by how far we have to travel and we do have some limitations. Talk with us about your situation. Click here to see delivery fee FAQ below.
Can I get a cut that’s not listed on your price page?
It depends on how much notice we are given. We’re happy to accommodate you if we can. Usually we process in the spring and late summer/fall and we can request special cuts then
Is it cheaper to buy a quarter?
It depends. If all you want is ground beef, it’s cheaper to just buy ground beef. If you enjoy roasts and steaks, then a quarter is the way to go – it works out to about $4.51/pound. Also, purchasing a quarter (half or whole) is pretty darn convenient. No more trying to shop for beef for the week – just pull the cut you want out of the freezer. Also, with a quarter, you get to decide how you want your meat cut.
CHICKEN
How do you raise your chickens and why do you use pens?
We raise our chickens in two different ways depending on their purpose. Layers are started in the brooder for two weeks and then moved out to pasture. They are housed in a pen for several weeks to protect them from predators. Then, they are moved to the Egg Sled. Here, the hens are allowed to truly free range during the day and are shut in at night for protection. Broilers are also started in the brooder and then moved out to pasture after two weeks. However, they remain in a pen for the next 4-6 weeks until they are ready for processing. The broilers do get fresh grass daily, which improves their health and taste, but because of predation, they are kept in a large shelter. Return to CHICKEN FAQS
Return to CHICKEN FAQSHow do I order chicken?
We will process chickens 5-6 times during the summer. These dates will be posted when I know them. Call or email us and let us know how many you’d like to reserve. When we get close to processing time, I’ll call to let folks know when the chickens can be picked up. Because of our limited freezer space, we prefer people to pick up their chicken on the day they ordered them. 620.622.4473 or email us
Why can’t you deliver chickens?
State statutes require that chickens processed on the farm must be picked up on the farm. I’m not thrilled with the law either and have informed my representatives in Topeka. Return to CHICKEN FAQs
Are chickens available all year round?
We will have chickens available through the fall and winter this year. However, to cover the additional cost of our freezer space, chickens purchased after October 8th (our last processing date) will have a .50/pound charge added.
Do you sell cut up chickens?
Yes! We are do offer cut-up chickens. We also sell thighs, wings, and drumsticks four to a package, as well as boneless, skinless breasts two to a package. Whole chickens cut-up into eight pieces are also available. See our Price List for pricing.
Are your chickens really different?
YES! Not only is the taste and texture of our chickens markedly better than what you find in the store, but we guarantee that our chickens live a much cleaner life on pasture (as opposed to chickens raise in confinement) and we process them in a manner completely different than the large processors.
Do you really process your own chickens?
Of course! Really. I’m kind of surprised to be able to answer that question in the affirmative sometimes. I grew up in the “city.” My chicken came from the store. However, learning how to raise our own food has been one of the most satisfying aspects of living on the farm. For a wonderful description of what happens, please read this short essay written by a good family friend. Return to CHICKEN FAQs
Return to CHICKEN FAQsPORK
When will you have pork available?
Bulk pork will be available again in the fall of 2012. We will have halves and whole hogs. We currently have cuts in stock. Please let us know if you are interested and we will contact you when it’s available. (620.622.4473 or email us) Return to PORK FAQs
Return to PORK FAQsCan I get a quarter hog?
Not really. Most processors we have talked with will only cut a hole or a half a hog. However, we are offering a pork bundle that gives about 30 pounds of pork for our customers who think a half hog may to large. Go to Price List, click on Pork Prices and scroll downto the Pork Bundle.
Can I get a half or whole hog cut how I want?
Yes. After your hog has been delivered to the processor, we will give you the processor's contact information. Then it is the customer's responsibility to call and give "cutting instructions." You can decide how you want your chops cut, your sausage packaged, and a variety of other options. Return to PORK FAQs
Return to PORK FAQsIf I order a hog, how much meat will I get?
One hog will produce approximately (we're still learning) 120 pounds of pork, and a half about 60 pounds.
If I decide to order a hog, how much will it cost me?
Like with the beef, there are three components to the cost of buying meat in bulk:
- the cost of the animal
- the cost of processing
- the freight to get the animal to the processor
Currently we charge $280 for a whole hog. Freight will be $50 per animal and we expect processing to run $100-$150 per animal depending on the weight and how you have it cut.
Cost of animal Processing Freight TOTAL COSTWhole $280$150 $50 $480
$280$150 $50 $480Half $140 $75 $25 $240
$140 $75 $25 $240How much freezer space will I need?
One cubic foot of freezer space will hold about 30 pounds of meat. A half hog will require about two cubic feet and a whole about four.
How long can I leave pork in the freezer?
Everything I've read recommends that pork be eaten within a year of processing. It doesn't go bad after that long in the freezer, but the flavor deteriorates. My recommendation is don't order more than your family can eat in a year.
How do I place an order?
Just give us a call or email us and we'll work with you to fill your order (620.622.7743 or email us). Return to PORK FAQs
Return to PORK FAQsWill you deliver a half or whole hog?
There will be a delivery fee if wedeliver the meat from the prodessor to you. The fee will be determined by how far we have to travel and we do have some limitations. Talk with us about your situaiton. Click here to see delivery fee FAQ below.
Is it cheaper to buy a half/whole hog than pork by the cut?
TURKEY
When will you have turkeys available?
We plan to have turkeys available for Thanksgiving/Christmas 2012. They must be picked up on the farm. We will have a limited number, so reserve yours today. The sooner you reserve your, the more likely you are to get one. (620.622.4473 or email us) Return to Turkey FAQs
GENERAL
Can I come to the farm for a visit?
Sure! We’d love to show you how your food is raised. We recommend that you call (620.622.4473) first to make sure we’re around.
Do you charge a delivery fee?
All orders delivered will be charged a $.15/pound handling fee, plus delivery using the following scale:
<60 miles from the farm (i.e. Dodge, Pratt) - $5
60-120 miles from the farm (i.e. Wichita, Hutch) - $10
>120 miles from the farm - $15
Example: A customer orders 25# of ground beef to go to Wichita
25# * $.15 = $3.75 So the delivery fee will be $3.75 for handling + $10 to go to Wichita = $13.75.
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Click below for FAQS concerning specific products
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LLC
Prices on quarters, halves & wholes are subject to change.
