As ruminants, beef cattle can utilize a variety of feedstuffs and can graze forages from marginal land that is better suited for grass production versus cash crop production. Livestock enterprises, such as beef cattle production, can diversify farming operations and complement many other farm enterprises. The process begins with raising healthy, high-quality animals.Iowa State University Extension and Outreachīeef cattle production can be a viable option for small farms. We are in the middle of nowhere and sell 75 to 80 percent of product here at our house,” he said.Įnticing shoppers to buy locally produced meat is only part of the equation for a successful freezer beef trade. “If you’ve got quality product people will come back. Instead, they focus on producing quality meat products. Social media has overtaken print advertising, but Jablonksi said that while they use Instagram and Facebook, they are not technologically savvy. Marketing is key to successfully selling meat products. Local cooperative extension agents and NRC staff can also be helpful resources Talk to other farmers and attend conferences to find resources on what may work best in a geographic area or a farm’s setup. Others grain finish their freezer beef cattle. “If you’re running long on some products and out of others, Meat Suite helps you decide if and by how much you can bump up prices on fast sellers and drop price on slower sellers to even out on total income on the entire steer,” Hadcock explained. To use the tool effectively, you have to know your costs and customer preferences. The calculator is also helpful in adjusting prices mid-year as inventory levels fluctuate. “It’s important to think about certifications and to determine if it is worth the time and money to pursue them as it relates to your customers,” said Steve Hadcock, Cornell Cooperative Extension Beginning Farmer and Market Development Educator.Īn online tool called Meat Suite helps producers determine prices based on the butcher’s cut sheet and the total income a farm needs to earn per pound. Mack Brook Farm is Beef Quality Assurance Certified (BQA), Animal Welfare Approved and American Grassfed Certified, a message they communicate to customers.

Later, they converted a portion of the basement into a retail space with freezers.Ĭustomers are more engaged with how their food is being produced, including how the animals are treated. They started by selling across the dining room table. Instead of trying a saturated outlet, they decided to sell out of their house. When Jablonski and Christensen decided to try the freezer market, they knew local farmers markets already featured several beef producers. Here are five things you need to know before jumping in.Ĭlick here to read 4 tips for cooking grassfed beef from a cattle farmer. Cornell Cooperative Extension research shows that selling meat by the quarter, half or whole animal is more profitable for the farmer and more affordable for the consumer.Īdding a freezer trade business to your farm requires a little planning to be successful.

That inspired their decision to begin a freezer trade business, selling directly to customers, for their herd of 75 to 90 Angus cattle.ĭeveloping a freezer trade can be a lucrative revenue stream for livestock farmers selling meat products. When Christensen read The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan, she wanted to know what the cattle in their pastures tasted like. Then Jablonski met his partner, Karen Christensen she eventually moved to the farm. They bought several bred cows and turned them out on the fields for grass control. When the last tenant left in 2013, Kevin’s son suggested they buy a few beef cattle from a local farmer who was downsizing.

He accepted an off-farm job and leased his Argyle, New York, barns to other farmers. More than a decade ago, third-generation farmer Kevin Jablonski sold the family dairy herd.

Best beef cattle for hobby farm