What

Cobblestone Valley grass fed beef originated from our organic dairy, where he bull calves are raised on certified organic whole milk until they are weaned at about 12 weeks of age. At that time they are fed a small amount of certified organic grain to help them through the stress of weaning. After that, depending on the season they are either pastured or fed grass hay. Occasionally in the winter their diet is supplemented with corn silage. Our goal is to supply high quality, humane, healthy, and affordable beef.

Over the past several years we've slowly been incorporating angus breeding into our herd to increase the beef genetics. If you look around you'll often see the beef babies running around in the pasture with their moms - its very fun to watch!

Please note that our beef is not certified organic. The steers are raised organically as already noted. However, they are sometimes grazed in the 50 foot buffer area of our farm that separates us from our conventional neighbors. This buffer area is a good thing, and is required by the National Organic Program to preserve organic integrity. The amount of pasture acreage that the buffer area requires is substantial enough that we cannot let it go to waste. For this reason we cannot certify our beef.

Between 18 and 28 months of age, the beef is processed at a small USDA processing facility. It is aged for 2 weeks, then cut, wrapped in cryovac packaging, and frozen.

Please be aware that grass-fed beef is a naturally lean product, although we strive for as marbled a product as possible. We are still learning, and feel that we've made great strides by crossing our dairy animals with angus bulls to increase the beef genetics.

Note -If you prefer your beef to be cooked until it is well done, then grass-fed beef may not be a product for you.

Some excellent resources for cooking grass-fed beef follow. Please consider them a sound investment in your culinary experience!

The Grassfed Gourmet and the new The Farmer and the Grill, by Shannon Hayes
These books are especially relevant as cooking grassfed meats are a little different than the grain-fed, supermarket meats that we have become accustomed to. We currently have two copies of The Grassfed Gourmet available for purchase - please inquire if interested.

The Complete Meat Cookbook by Bruce Aidells and Denis Kelley
This book just makes you want to eat meat! Also very good for identifying different cuts, where they come from, and what they are good for. It’s a great reference, as well as cookbook.

When and Where

Frozen beef is available year round at the farm as the following: Whole, half, split half (which is one quarter with cuts from both front and hind) or individual retail cuts. For first-time customers, simply contact us via email or phone (607-749-4032) so that we can set up a visit to show you around and so you can see how things work. After that you can come at your convenience and shop on a self-service basis. You are welcome to either browse through the freezer or call ahead with a specific order to have ready when you arrive. Click here for directions

Prices

Wholesale prices for whole, half, or split half is $3.50 per pound, hanging weight, plus processing. "Hanging weight" is the weight of a side of beef as it hangs on the rail in a meat cooler. All beef sold hanging weight will lose some of its weight in the cutting and trimming process no matter how lean the side of beef is. The amount of fat and bone that must be trimmed (cutting loss) from a side thus has an influence on the price per pound of meat that is finally wrapped and frozen for you.

One of the advantages to wholesale beef is that the customer gets to dictate how the meat is cut up: Steak thickness, roast size, ground beef or chuck, stew or ground beef, hamburger patties? Dog bones? Liver? The processor can help walk you through the choices as she takess your cutting instructions.

Beef Carcass Breakdown
With an average marked (live or on hoof) weight of 1,150 lbs. and the average yield of 62.2%, the typical steer will produce a 600-700 lb. hanging weight carcass.

The hanging weight will wield approximately 569 lbs. of red meat and trim (take home meat—which includes the average of 27 lbs. of variety meat: liver, heart, tongue, etc.) and 146 lbs of fat and bone. This is roughly a yield of 80% from the dressed or hanging weight
Processing is generally around $.50 per pound. Animal weights vary, but are usually in the 600-750 pound range hanging weight. Wholesale prices include some bones, suet, and organ meats.


As a cooking aid, there is an inexpensive tool that is absolutely essential for proper preparation of meat. An instant read thermometer, digital or otherwise, takes all the guesswork out of cooking. We highly recommend one for your cooking adventures.
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Retail Prices, Per Pound*

Ground Beef
1 pound tubes $5.00 or $4.50 per pound for 10 or more pounds.

Hamburger Patties: 1/4 pound burgers
Hamburger Patties: 1/3 pound burgers
Hamburger Patties: 1/2 pound burgers
ALL HAMBURGER PATTIES COME IN ONE POUND PACKAGES, $6.50 PER POUND. If not individually marked, they are $6.50 per package

Steaks
NY Strip $12.95
Delmonico - $10.00
Filet $14.00
London Broil $5.00
Sirloin Steak $7.50
Porterhouse $10.00
Skirt Steak $7.50
Flank Steak $7.50
Shaved/Minute Steak $7.00

Roasts
Round Roast $4.75
Rump Roast $4.75
Sirloin Tip $5.00
Chuck $4.25
Brisket $4.25

Miscellaneous

Short Ribs $4.75
Shaved Steaks $6.75
Stew $4.75
Tongue $3.00
Liver $2.00
Heart $3.00
Marrow Bones for stock $1.50
Ox Tail $3.00
Dog Bones $1.00

* Prices subject to change without notice