Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between grass-finished beef and grain-finished beef?

• Grass-Finished Beef: These cattle eat only grass or forage their entire lives. This diet typically results in leaner beef with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and less marbling.

• Grain-Finished Beef: These cattle are raised on grass but are fed grain in addition to grass and forage for the final 90-120 days. This adds marbling, making the beef richer, more tender, and flavorful.

What does "hanging weight" mean?
Hanging weight is the weight of the animal after it has been butchered but before it is processed into individual cuts. Typically, the take-home meat is about 55–65% of the hanging weight due to trimming and processing.

What are my pickup options?
We work with four local butcher shops for convenient pickup! The location will depend on your scheduled butcher date, so if you’re looking for a specific location, just let us know!
Our available processing/pickup locations are:

• Finn’s Custom Meats in Onalaska, WA

• Matt’s Custom Meats in Longview, WA

• Mt. View Meat & Sausage in Tacoma, WA

• Bear Ridge Smokehouse in Morton, WA

Are your beef hormone-free? Do you use non-GMO grain?
Our beef are hormone-free and the grain used for finishing is non-GMO with no additional additives.

What is included in the processing fees?
Processing fees cover cutting, wrapping, and optional customizations of your meat. These fees are paid directly to the butcher at pickup and typically range from $0.90–$1.50 per pound, depending on the location.

What is the kill fee?
The kill fee is a one-time charge by the processor to prepare the animal for butchering. For our beef products, this fee is $50 per quarter and is included in your final invoice.

Can I customize my cuts?
Yes, most processors allow customization of your cuts. However, customizations may require additional fees, especially for quarter beef orders. We recommend contacting your preferred processor to confirm options.

How much freezer space will I need?
A quarter beef typically requires about 4–5 cubic feet of freezer space, while a whole beef may need 16–20 cubic feet. Always ensure your freezer is set to 0°F or below for long-term storage.

When will my order be ready?
Orders are usually ready 2–3 weeks after the initial butcher date. You’ll receive a notification when your order is available for pickup.

Do you offer delivery?
We currently offer local pickup options. For special arrangements, please contact us at leckbeecattle@gmail.com.

Can I buy individual cuts?
At this time, we only sell in shares, which we coordinate the WSDA processing for you. To sell individual cuts, they must be processed at a USDA slaughtering and processing facility, which are not located locally to us. We are working towards organizing the logistics of this, so be sure to check back for updates!