Frequently Asked Questions

What makes beef taste good?
The secret to great-tasting beef isn’t found just in the kitchen. For Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef, it begins with carefully bred and nurtured Black Angus cattle. Our cattle are allowed to live a natural lifestyle with a diet of grass and hay, access to sunlight, shelter, fresh water and exercise – from birth up to processing. Then, the old-fashioned dry-aging technique is employed to guarantee beef that is tender and full of flavor – from the prime cuts right down to the burger.

“Dry-Aging” versus “Wet-Aging”
Breeding and selecting the right cattle is just the first step. For a truly great steak, beef should be dry-aged for 14-21 days, a process rarely used in today's commercialized beef industry where wet-aging is the norm. We process our animals within smaller USDA inspected facilities, where experienced meat cutters dry-age our beef for peak tenderness and flavor, and then carefully trim and expertly cut the carcass. The product is shrink-wrapped and flash-frozen to seal in the goodness.

To dry-age beef, a pre-cut carcass is hung in a temperature-controlled (34-38 degree F.) cooler for two to three weeks. During this time, the beef looses moisture and develops flavor. The second effect of dry aging is that the beef's enzymes break down the muscle fibers, tenderizing the meat. Dry aging is more costly due to the loss in shrinkage and extra trim required, time, storage, refrigerator space, and labor. Yet, the texture, flavor and tenderness benefits mean dry-aging far outweighs the added cost.

Wet-aged beef is simply vacuum-packed in its own blood, and then shipped to the retail store, where it is processed into retail cuts. "Dry-aged beef is actually much more tender and juicy than wet-aged beef. It has an appealing rosy-red color and produces a wonderful meaty aroma when cooked,” says John Chaney, “Once you try it, the difference is unforgettable!”

Why are hormones, antibiotics and animal proteins given to commercial beef cattle?
Quite simply, hormones, antibiotics and animal proteins are given to commercial beef cattle to protect a commercial producers’ bottom line -- in spite of known side effects or the health and welfare of the cattle or the human consumer. Commercial beef cattle are usually “finished” in a feedlot, where the objective is to get the cattle to gain weight as quickly as possible, without regard to the physical or mental health of the animal.

The use of growth hormones, antibiotics and animal proteins in commercial beef cattle feed is getting a lot of coverage in the media these days. Consumers are increasingly aware of how commercial beef is produced, and there is growing demand for beef that has been raised without the above.

In commercial beef, hormone implants and steroids are used to speed growth and to reduce feed costs and finishing time. Low levels of antibiotics are used to compensate for the stressful, overcrowded feedlot conditions in which infection spreads quickly. Some of the antibiotics that are used for treating livestock illness are also used to treat illness in humans, and we already have a growing problem with resistance to antibiotic medicines.

Perhaps worst of all, and certainly the most insidious and disgusting practice, are the animal proteins – rendered remains of other ruminant animals and the feces of poultry – which are mixed in the feed of these grazing animals as a source of cheap protein. The addition of animal proteins into cattle feed is directly linked with Mad Cow Disease.

Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef cattle are not given any of these additives and John Chaney stands firmly against any of these abhorrent practices. Hence, the name of the ranch - its practices are truly “Against the Wind” of industry norms.

What makes Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef "Natural"?
We believe that cattle and other animals bred by man for human consumption should be allowed to live the “natural” lifestyle from birth up to processing, the same they would if humans weren’t involved in the process. We don’t give them any growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics, and they are never fed any animal by-products. Of utmost importance, the handling and processing should be done humanely and with respect to the animals who provide us with sustenance. Our cattle have clean springs to drink out of, shelter in the winter and shade in the summer. They are fed grass instead of grains. They are never subjected to the physical and mental stress of a commercial feedlot – and this directly affects the quality of our meat for the better.

What is "Certified Humane"?
Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef is "Certified Humane" by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) http://www.certifiedhumane.com/.

Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is a non-profit organization created to offer a certification and labeling program for meat, eggs, dairy and poultry products from animals raised according to Humane Farm Animal Care’s Animal Care Standards. Developed with the welfare of the individual animal in mind, Certified Humane standards ensure that the animal is treated humanely and in accordance with the highest farm animal welfare standards available today, as the animal is raised, transported and processed.

Why is grass-fed beef better, healthier and lower in fat?
Feeding cattle grass (and hay made from grass) is healthier for the animals and for humans. Few people realize that a high-grain diet can cause physical problems for ruminants—cud-chewing animals such as cattle, dairy cows, goats, bison, and sheep. Ruminant animals are designed to eat fibrous grasses, plants, and shrubs—not starchy, low-fiber grain.

Switching ruminants from their natural diet of grasses to grains also lowers the nutritional value of their meat and dairy products. Compared with grass-fed meat, grain-fed meat contains more total fat, saturated fat, and calories. It also has less vitamin E, beta-carotene, and two health-promoting fats called omega-3 fatty acids and “conjugated linoleic acid,” or CLA. The milk from dairy cows raised in confinement is similarly low in these nutrients. One result of our modern “advances” in animal technology is inferior food. Source: www.eatwild.com

How much does a cow weigh and how does that translate to the amount of beef I will receive if I buy beef in bulk?
A live steer, ready for processing, weighs an average of 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. For a 1,200-pound animal, an average pre-cut carcass weighs approximately 750 pounds; thus, a Half Beef is 375 pounds and a Quarter Beef (split side) is 188 pounds.

Please understand that you'll be buying a unique animal and final weights will vary. Our price is based on the pre-cut carcass weight. The actual weight you receive (table ready) will be less than the pre-cut carcass weight. You can expect the product weight to decrease by approximately 30-35 percent from pre-carcass weight to table ready.

How much beef does an average family eat?
Smaller families (2-4 people) who eat a moderate amount of beef will go through a Half Beef in about a year’s time. A Whole Beef is more appropriate for larger families (5+ people) with lots of hungry, growing kids.

Does freezing beef affect the taste?
Extensive research by Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University indicates that flash freezing of beef preserves the flavor, and in fact, even the most discriminating chef cannot tell the difference. Beef generally keeps best for up to one year frozen.

How much freezer space will I need?
A Whole Beef requires approximately 16 cubic feet of freezer space for storage (2'x4'x2').

Does Against the Wind Ranch Sell Individual Cuts of Beef?
We sell in bulk – A Whole, Half, or Quarter Beef (spilt side) and sell 20 Pound Natural Beef Sample Boxes (with a sample of all cuts – from the steaks right down to the burger!).

Who should buy a 20 Pound Natural Beef Sample Box?
There are many reasons to buy the Sample Box – single people love them; they work well for out of state buyers and they are also a good way to “sample” our beef before committing to a bulk order.

What cuts of beef will I get?
Follow this link to see photos of average beef cuts: www.beef.org/documents/BME_chart.pdf

How do I order from Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef?
Our bulk beef can be ordered by the Whole Beef, Half Beef or Quarter Beef (split side). Beef is available for purchase when each animal is ready for processing. Bulk orders of a whole or half steer are custom cut and packaged for each customer. Quarter steers (split sides) are available with standard cuts. Buyers can pick up their beef directly from the processing facility, or delivery/shipment can be arranged for an extra charge. Our 20 Pound Natural Beef Sample Boxes are available at all times – they can be picked up at our MD ranch, or delivered or mailed for an extra fee. All beef is sold frozen and vacuum-sealed. Give us a call at 540-396-4751 or send us an email through our Contact Us page and we can guide you through the simple ordering process. We will provide handling instructions when you place your order. We require a 50% deposit upon placement of your order. We accept checks, money orders and credit cards through PAYPAL.

How much does Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef cost?
• Whole Beef $4.00 per pound (pre-cut carcass weight)
• Half Beef $4.50 per pound (pre-cut carcass weight)
• Quarter Beef (split side) $5.00 per pound (pre-cut carcass weight)
• *NEW* 20 Pound Natural Beef Sample Box $300.00

How soon can I get my beef?
Order bulk beef today and you are reserving an animal in our current herd. We do not have processed inventory, we are raising them as you read this. Within a few days, we will let you know by e-mail or phone how long it will take to process your order. We can usually fill orders within 4-6 weeks of receiving your deposit. Our 20 Pound Natural Beef Sample Boxes are available at all times.

How do I order from Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef?
Give us a call at 540-396-4751 so that we can explain the process to you. We require a 50% deposit upon placement of your order. We accept checks, money orders and credit cards through PAYPAL.