Our Products
Freezer Beef
VanWinkle Ranch Beef offers high-quality freezer beef available in quarters, halves, and wholes. Our cattle are grass-fed & grain-finished, ensuring a rich flavor and tender texture. We provide custom cuts to meet your specific needs, and our team is ready to give guidance to simplify the ordering process. Scroll to the bottom of the page for our cut sheet.
Ground Beef Packages
Our ground beef packages feature a blend of 85-90% lean beef, offering a perfect balance of flavor and lean protein. Sourced from cattle that are grass-fed and grain-finished, our beef is USDA inspected to ensure the highest quality standards. Versatile and nutritious, our ground beef enhances any recipe.
Merchandise
At VanWinkle Ranch Beef, we offer merchandise to support local ranching. Choose from stylish hats and comfortable shirts that are durable for everyday wear. Buy premium apparel and support local agriculture and the ranching community. Show pride in local ranches with our exclusive products. Thank you!
FAQs
What breed of cows are in your herd?
Our herd is comprised of approximately 70% of white Charolais cows. The balance are red and a light yellow color. These cows are cross bred with Red Angus. There are a few black cows in our herd from a small group we purchased several years ago from an older gentleman that wanted to sell his cows, but wanted Howard to buy them because he knew they would be well cared for.
How many pounds of meat would my family have in our freezer from a half beef?
Generally speaking, you would have approximately 200# of finished product for your freezer. It depends on the size of the live animal & the way you have it cut & wrapped. 200# will take 8.5-10 cubic foot of freezer space. A quarter beef would be half this amount and a whole beef would be double.
How much would I expect to pay for a half beef?
Currently, a half beef will be approximately $2000. This is an estimate. That includes the price of the animal and the processing. The price quoted is the price per pound on the carcass weight. The processing is based on a price on the carcass weight. You pay VanWinkle Ranch Beef for the animal and you pay Mountain Meats for their work on the processing. A quarter will be approximately $1000, a whole beef will be approximately $4000.
What determines the price of a half beef?
The weight of the carcass determines the price. The carcass weight will be more than the weight of the finished product because most of the bones are not included in the finished product. The actual price per pound is based on the market at the time. It varies substantially from year to year.
How long is the carcass aged and why?
Our family prefers the taste, texture and tenderness of a 21 day aging process.
What cuts do I get with a half beef?
On the RESOURCES tab, you will find a cut sheet with a standard cut. You may make changes to the cut sheet or you can have your meat processed according to the standard cut sheet. Keep in mind the size of your family as you are choosing your cuts & packaging.
What is the process to purchase a quarter, half, or whole beef?
Place a deposit to hold the next available spot. When the animal is taken to the processor, you will be notified of the weight and the price. Pay on-line or connect with us to pay with a check or cash. Fill out a cut sheet (found under the RESOURCES tab) and email to the processor. You will be notified when the meat is ready to be picked up. Pay Mountain Meats for the processing when you pick up the meat. Enjoy!!
What is the difference in the animals in the freezer program and the ground beef at VanWinkle Ranch Beef?
The animals in the freezer beef program are under 30 months of age and fed a minimum of 90-120 days. The animals in the ground beef program are generally older animals that are no longer productive in the herd and fed for 60 days.
How are the animals on the Ranch handled?
We use the slow and easy methodology. The fastest way to get something done with livestock is slow. We are BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certified. This ensures we are up-to-date with best management practices. Our family is the 2024 National BQA Cow/Calf Producer for handling of our cattle. We spend our lives with these cattle. It matters to our family that they are treated well. We don’t tolerate loud or rough treatment.
“ We do the right things in the right way”
— Howard VanWinkle