How the Butcher Process Works
Once your beef is ready for harvest, it will be delivered to one of our trusted local processors. After the animal is processed and dry aged, the butcher will contact you directly to discuss how you would like your beef cut and packaged.
You’ll be able to customize things like:
• Steak thickness
• Roast sizes
• Ground beef packaging
• Specialty cuts (short ribs, soup bones, organ meats, etc.)
If you’ve never ordered a whole or half beef before, don’t worry — the butcher will walk you through it, and we’re always happy to help if you have questions.
Most customers receive their finished beef 2 weeks after harvest, depending on processing schedules and aging time.
Our Local Butchers
We work with several excellent local processors in the region:
• Mountain View Custom Meats – Coeur D’Alene , ID
• Hardy Boys Custom Meats – Blanchard, ID
• Country Meats – Cataldo, ID
Processing fees are paid directly to the butcher and are not included in the purchase price of your beef.
Where Your Beef Cuts Come From
A beef animal is divided into major sections called primal cuts. Your steaks, roasts, and ground beef come from these areas.
Castle Rock Ranch Cut List
*We like this cut list because it is easy for us to use, tender and flavorful, and maximizes the yield on an animal.
Steaks
We prefer boneless steaks for more fool proof cooking
Thickness – 1.25” (no fat trimmed)
Tenderloin (whole piece, also called filet mignon when cut into smaller steaks), rib eye, flank, skirt, hangar
Roasts
Brisket
Stew Meat (1” chunks of meat for stir fry or stew in 1 lb packages)
Soup Bones or shank (they are meaty and different than the broth bones listed below)
Ribs cut into 2” length, in strips (like short ribs)
Ground Beef (1.5 lb packages, 20% - 25% fat) – heart, kidney and liver added to ground beef (if the butcher will do it)
Offal - Ox Tail, Tongue, Cheek, (if not added to ground – heart, liver, kidney)
*Keep in mind if you buy a half or a quarter beef, you may not be able to get a tongue and an ox tail as they are not divisible, you will get one or the other).
Bones for broth (we use our instant pot to make broth, super easy).
Fat (Tallow is great for cosmetics) and the cooking.