What do I request when getting a side of beef/pork?

[lynchyk]

I found a source for grass fed beef and pork and I'm getting it in JUne!! They will be calling to see what I want.

I know that I will need to tell them approximately how much I want in ground beef/steaks...

First of all, I really don't know about different cuts of meat/roasts/steaks... so any suggestions would be helpful. I also need to know what to ask for as far as organs, bones, etc. I'm new to TF and don't want to miss out on anything I should be getting. I'm sure if I don't request these things specifically they won't give them to me.

For the pork, I don't know at all what to ask for. I don't know if you request certain cuts or what. Can I get bacon and sausage? Isn't there something about nitrates that I need to ask, or about curing?? Also, I want to get the lard for frying right?

Please help me figure this out!! I don't want to spend all this money and miss out on getting things I could really use!!

Thanks,Kelly

[lynchyk]

One more question...

Is pork sausage "healthy" if it's from a good source of pig? I think that usually sausage at the grocery store is made from pork and alot of other junk mixed in. But if you know that your pig is coming from a good farm and is fed the right things then wouldn't the sausage be OK since it's all coming from a healthy pig? I love sausage, I'm hoping the processing facility makes it. Or is sausage made with other fillers that aren't even from the pig?

Thanks,
Kelly

I'll probably be posting alot more questions on this topic!!:

[lynchyk]

Please, can someone help me out with some info? I really don't want to spend all this money only to find out I should have requested something specific. I especially need help with the pork (which I'm not getting until OCt).

Thanks again, Kelly

[tbone]

I pm'd you with a site that might help.

[ChristieB]

You might want to check out a place that sells it in packages and see what they say comes with a half a cow or a full cow, or whatever you'll be getting. For instance, this is the place where we get our meat and what is included in a quarter/half/whole cow package, and also the individual cuts available. That might help give you an idea of what to ask for (there are other similar sites, too). The place where you're getting it might have some suggestions, too, and should be able to answer some questions about what different cuts would be possible.

Hope you find all the info you need.

Christie

[Brookesmom]

I founf this on the internet last fall when I was looking into a pastured 1/2 pig. Here's a great illustration and pictures of the wrapped meat and a blog entry:

http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2006/07...pig-share.html

--Kelly

[avent]

When I ordered a quarter cow I didn't know to ask for the organs so I didn't get them. I won't make that mistake again. As far as the actual cuts, bones, how much was ground, etc. that was all predetermined. Are you assuming you have to tell them what cuts you want or did they actually ask you to decide? I've never seen the consumer have to decide, as the butcher usually knows what cuts will come out of the quarter.

[lynchyk]

Thanks for all the help. Kelly--that is exactly what I needed. I will bookmark that link and post it if anyone looks for the same info.

Avent-Yes, they want me to specify what cuts I want. Obviously there are limits as to what you can get, but you can specify approx how much ground meat you want or more chops/less tenderloin...

Do people eat pig organs or should I just get the beef organs? Do people use pig bones for anything besides split pea soup, we dont' eat that so do I still want the bones?

Also, what about the lard? Do I just ask for the fat or will they do something to it? I don't know what rendering even means but I've seen it when talking about lard.

Thanks for the info so far, this is really helpful.

Kelly

[avent]

OK, I'll try to remember what we got in our 1/4 cow last August. I think we got at least 8 lbs of ground beef, 4 packages of beef bones for soup (each one probbaly weighed about 3-4 lbs), at least 3 roasts, a few packages of stew meat (very handy) and at least 5-6 steaks, plus other stuff I'm forgetting. Sorry I can't be of more help.