Hi Neighbors, Any confirmed locavores out there? My husband and I are looking for someone who would be interesting in splitting a split side of local grassfed beef with us (i.e., splitting 1/4 of a steer, yielding 1/8 (about 50-60 lbs) for each family). See details in the forwarded emails, and don't hesitate to contact me with questions. If you're interested, let me know ASAP, as supply is quite limited. Alex West ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Don & Becky Kretschmann <don@kretschmannfarm.com> Date: Sat, Sep 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM Subject: grass fed beef available now To: alexandra.west@gmail.com West HP You had expressed and interest in grass fed beef when you signed up for veggies in the spring. We’re forwarding this note from our good neighbors who raise this great beef. It would be organic if they paid to have it certified. You can contact them if you are interested. Thanks. --Don & Becky Kretschmann September 2009 Hello again from the Lewis Brothers Cattle Co. We are winding up the summer by having a 100% Grass Fed and 100% Grass Finished beef sale. We are currently taking orders for sides of beef. This summer has been great for Grass Fed Beef Farms. The constant summer showers allowed us to keep the herd grazing on exceptionally lush, green pastures. With this added rain, we were able to finish three steers and make them available to you within the month. We sell our sides of beef by the "split half" (which is a quarter of an animal) or half side of beef. Every animal varies in its finishing weight and therefore it is difficult to determine the exact number and type of cuts that you may receive. Please see below for an approximate list of cuts that you receive in a split half. Our local meat packer is a state certified abattoir (as opposed to a USDA federal certification) and therefore farmers are not allowed to sell individual cuts of beef to the general public. In order to keep things legal, what we can do is sell the beef by hanging weight, so that you guys are collectively buying a carcass. A split half 'hanging weight' is approximately 175-200 pounds and the take home product is roughly 100-125 lbs (after trimming and packaging) which I know is more that some people can store in their freezers. In the past many of our customers partner up with others, whether it be family, friends or neighbors that share a mutual interest in high quality grass fed meat. Once we hear back from the butcher on a date, we will let everyone who has placed an order know the date for picking up your order. It should be a few weeks. We haven’t changed our prices, still at $5.00 per pound, plus the packer's charge for cutting and packing (roughly $70.00 per quarter). The price per pound is based on the 'hanging weight', which is the weight of the beef before it is cut and trimmed into steaks, roasts, etc. If you want some of the ground beef in pre-formed patties rather than packages, the packer charges an additional $.30 per pound for patties. Most people go with this option as it is well worth the expense. The Lewis Brothers Cattle Co. raises grass fed Hereford beef cattle in New Sewickley Twp. ( Beaver County ) located near Zelienople. The cattle are fed strictly grasses and have never received any antibiotics, growth hormones or steroids. Check out our new website for some more basic information as well as links to other great resources ( http://www.lewisfamilyfarms.com/ ). If you would like to order a whole, half, or split half please reply to this email. We only have a few animals ready and unfortunately have to turn people away each year. Our herd is growing and the good news about grass fed beef is growing faster! Thank-you, Michael Lewis Lewis Brothers Cattle Co. The Lewis Family Farm 258 Zeigler Road Rochester , PA 15074 Home Phone: 724-452-7735 Approximate sizes and numbers of cuts included in ¼ beef *One quarter of a cow, a split half - 24 Packages 1.25lbs/package chopped, ground beef - 2-3 Chuck Roasts (3-4lbs each) - 2 Shoulder Roasts (3-4lbs each) - 2-3 Filets (1 1/2" thick) - 3-4 Bone In New York Strips (1 1/4"thick) - 2 Sirloin Steaks (1' thick) - 3-4 Rib Steaks (Delmonico with bone in) (1 1/4"thick) - 1-2 Packages of Soup Bones - 1-2 Packages of stew meat