Frequently Asked Questions
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From Our Family's Farm to Your Family's Fridge
Where Family Comes First
Dale Family Farms
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.

Are 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.  To finish properly, the cattle need good grass to fatten on.

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.

Where is your meat processed?
Currently, we have our meat processed at a state inspected facility in Minneola and a federally inspected plant near McPherson.  We’ve been very pleased at both locations.

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 hamburger.

If 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. 
Currently, we charge $1.10 per pound live weight.  The processing at Minneola is a flat $35 per animal plus $.45 per pound on the hanging weight (approximately 60% of live weight).  This cost may vary at other processors.  Freight will be $100 per animal to Minneola.
Now, that I’ve thrown too much information at you, here is an example for a 1200 pound animal processed at Minneola.  All weights and prices are approximate and for example purposes only.
Cost of animal   Processing     Freight          TOTAL COST
     @ $1.10 per pound $35+.45/pound         to Minneola
     hanging weight
Whole     $1300                 $359           $100       $1759
Half          $650                 $179            $50         $879
Quarter    $325                         $90            $25         $440

Note:  This comes to about $4.07/pound of carry-out meat to put in your freezer.  A bargain for steaks!

How 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 and 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)

Will you deliver a quarter, half or whole?
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 hamburger, it’s cheaper to just buy hamburger.   If you enjoy roasts and steaks, then a quarter is the way to go – it works out to about $4.25/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.

How 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 purchased and picked up on the farm.  I’m not thrilled with the law either and have informed my representatives in Topeka.

Are chickens available all year round?
Because we don’t have a great deal of surplus freezer space,  we freeze enough chickens to feed our family and a few extras.  In the future, we may have to charge a little more for frozen chicken to cover our expenses.

Do you sell cut up chickens?
Not at this time – all the chickens we sell are whole broilers.  They’re really not that hard to cut up.  There are several reasons why we don’t sell cut up chicken.  First of all, I’m not very experienced and my chicken pieces don’t always look quite right.  Secondly, the price per pound for items like boneless chicken breasts would be ridiculously high to make it worth our time and effort.  Finally, we hate to deprive our customers of the culinary pleasures of either roasting a whole chicken or the satisfaction of learning to cut one up themselves.  They’re really not that hard to cut up!  See this article Cutting-Up-Chickens or this youtube presentation for directions on how to cut up your own chicken.

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.

PORK
When will you have pork available?
We plan on having pork available for the first time in the fall of 2010.  We will have halves and whole pigs as well as cuts.  Please let us know if you are interested and we will contact you when it’s available.  (620.622.4473 or email us)

TURKEY
When will you have turkeys available?
We plan to have turkeys available for Thanksgiving/Christmas 2010.  They must be picked up on the farm.  We will have a limited number, so reserve yours today.  (620.622.4473 or email us)


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?
Beginning February 1, 2010, we will be charging a nominal delivery fee. 
  • If we pack up meat and take it somewhere off the farm, there is a $5 fee.
  • If we deliver the meat to your door (as opposed to a site convenient to us), there will be an additional $10 fee.
  • Delivery is available for quarters, halves, and wholes but the fee varies depending on the distance traveled. 
Return to BEEF delivery question 
Click below for FAQS concerning specific products