Crispin Grass-Fed Beef FAQ

 Crispin Murray Grey Grass-Fed Beef - FAQ   

1. Where is Crispin Murray Grey located?  Crispin Murray Grey Grass-Fed Beef is a family owned and operated farm and ranch in Western Oklahoma near Thomas. We operate farms in both Dewey and Custer counties. My great-grandfather came to this area in 1897 and our family has been raising cattle since that time.  

2. What genetics do you use to produce Crispin Murray Grey grass-fed beef?  We use the Murray Grey breed. Murray Grey's are a true grass-fed breed that have been developed over time for that purpose. The Murray Grey breed was developed in Australia in the early 1940's. Butchers began to pay a premium price for the Murray Grey's because of their consistent high cutability and less waste. Murray Grey's began to win carcass competitions in the early 70's and have continued to dominate the steer and carcass classes at the Royal shows in Australia. Murray Grey's are one of the two preferred breeds for importation in Japan, due to their easy fleshing ability and high quality meat production.  

3. What is "Grass-Fed" Beef?  Grass (Forage) Fed – Grass and forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. The diet shall be derived solely from forage consisting of grass (annual and perennial), forbs (e.g., legumes, Brassica), browse, or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state. Animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season. Hay, haylage, baleage, silage, crop residue without grain, and other roughage sources may also be included as acceptable feed sources. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. If incidental supplementation occurs due to inadvertent exposure to non-forage feedstuffs or to ensure the animal’s well being at all times during adverse environmental or physical conditions, the producer must fully document (e.g., receipts, ingredients, and tear tags) the supplementation that occurs including the amount, the frequency, and the supplements provided.
Grass (Forage) Fed Marketing Claim Standard (October 16, 2007, Federal Register Notice (72 FR 58631)) - PDF  

4. Does Crispin Grass-Fed Beef use hormones, antibiotics?

No, we do not use any antibiotics, hormones, growth implants, animal by-products, or steroids. If an animal becomes sick, we do not let the animal suffer and will use antibiotics to bring the animal back to health, but that animal is removed from our grass-fed beef program.  

5. Are your cattle ever fed in a feedlot with grain?

No, our cattle are grass fed and grass finished. Grass finished means that they never have grain at any time in their lives.  There is some confusion about "organic" always meaning grass finished.  "Organic" can also be fed grain if the grain they are fed is "organic" as well.  Our beef is truly "grass finished". 

6. Is your product free range?

Yes, our cattle are never confined to a feedlot. They spend all of their lives on pasture and are treated as humanely as possible.  

7. Does your beef taste different than that I buy in the store?

Our beef has a slightly different taste. It is different than grain fed and we think it tastes better. Our customers tell us that as well. 

8. Is grass fed beef tougher than grain fed beef?

No, but our beef is much leaner and needs to be cooked at a lower temperature and the internal temperature of the meat should be lower than grain fed beef.   

9. I don't have experience cooking grass-fed beef, can you help me?  Yes, there are many grass-fed recipes online and you can feel free to use any recipes that we have on our site.    

10. What happens if something unfortunate occurs that my animal does not reach the processor, death, sickness etc.    We will provide your beef at the next available time or you can cancel your order.  We do not require advance payments until you receive your beef.  

11. How much beef will I get?  With an average animal, a 25% share will yield about 100 pounds of beef, and a 50% share will yield about 200 pounds, 100% share, or a whole animal, will yield about 400 pounds. This is actual beef ready to put into the freezer. The actual amount will depend upon the size of the individual animal and since all animals vary, the exact amount will vary slightly with each animal. In all cases, you will pay for the pounds that go into your freezer.  

12. How much freezer space will I need?  A rule of thumb is one cubic foot of freezer space for each 30 pounds of cut and packaged meat. The  freezer compartment in a refrigerator that has a bottom freezer compartment will hold 50 to 60 pounds. Amounts above that will require a stand-alone freezer which will keep the beef at a lower temperature. All our beef is vacuum packaged and will last a year or more if kept properly frozen. Freezing is nature's best preservative for meat products. Meat that is vacuum packed and frozen at the optimal freshness will taste just as fresh as fresh meat cuts.  

13. What cuts will I get in my package?

This is our standard cutting order Meat from a typical 25% Share beef (from a 1,000 – 1,200 lb. live animal) consists of approximately: Every animal varies slightly.   

6 - T-Bone steaks (3/4” thick)               6 - Rib eye steaks (3/4”)
3 - Sirloin steaks (3/4” thick)                
3 – Chuck/Arm roasts (2 – 3 lbs)          1 Brisket 2 – 4 Lbs
55 - 60 lbs Premium Ground Beef
  If you notify us before processing  ***If you purchase 50% or 100% shares***  You can specify how you wish your beef to be cut. **Any cube steaks and Ground Beef put into patties will incur extra processing costs.** Since we must know before processing occurs, there may be a time delay before we have beef available to be custom processed. 

14. Will my beef be aged?  Yes. Aging time is an important part of producing a quality meat product. Aging time, or dry aging, of meat is approximately 14 days, a period of time thought by most people to be adequate.  

15. When do you harvest animals and when would the beef be available?   We are now trying to harvest every month as the season and pasture availability allows. We also keep our beef available throughout the year until we are sold out.  Check back often to see when beef is available. We try to keep out website updated as to availability as the year progresses. The best way to ensure availability is to reserve early and make arrangements to pick up your beef at the Farmers Markets. 

16. What will my beef cost per pound of beef ready for the freezer?  Current prices are listed on the "Purchase Prices/Options " page   

17. Isn't it more convenient to buy my beef in the store?  You will find once you become accustomed to having meat on hand, the "MOST" convenient source of meat is your own freezer. We are hearing more and more that people think our beef is better than that in the store. 

18. We don't eat that much meat.  A family of 4 will get between 100 and 130 meals of beef from a 50% beef,  50 - 65 from a 25% share.   

19. Isn't "Grass-Fed Beef" a lot more expensive that other beef?  We find that when you average the costs of getting high quality beef products, such as steaks (rib-eye, T-bone, sirloin, etc) plus the best roasts and premium quality hamburger that it is very comparable. Also consider the increased health benefits of having quality grass-fed beef immediately available in your deep freezer and the fact that it is guaranteed not to have artificial hormones or antibiotics in it, and that you know the source of that beef. Only you can determine what that is worth to your family.  

20. When do I pay for my share of beef?   Payable upon delivery or pick-up of your beef.  

21. What are your delivery Options?  Delivery Options:    1. Pick up your order at the Cleveland Co. Fairgrounds in Norman, 615 E Robinson 4 - 7PM
 2.  Pick up your beef at the OKC Public Farmers Market in Oklahoma City at 311 S Klein on Saturday's 9 AM - 2 PM.    3.  If you are closer to Thomas, OK, we can make arrangements for you to pick it up there.
             We will let you know what day your beef will be available for pick up.  

22. What if I am unhappy with my beef?  We don't think that is likely to happen, but if it does, Satisfaction is guaranteed. Return the remainder of the beef to us and you will be refunded your money for the beef you have not used. The beef must at all times be kept properly frozen. There is a two week time limit to notify us if you are unsatisfied.