meat market

We offer whole, half, and quarter steers on a price per pound basis.  The weight is based on the hanging weight after slaughter, which is approximately 55% of the live weight for Angus.  That way, you are paying for exactly what you are getting.  Once the steer is butchered, the carcass yield (wrapped meat for your freezer) will be approximately 70% of the hanging weight.  The carcass yield depends directly on how you decide to butcher the steer, which is why we charge based on hanging weight and not the end product.  

Live weight x dress percentage x carcass yield = packaged meat weight.

Each steer will have a different live weight, but most will be around 1000 lbs.  Using the above formula for an average steer:  1000 lbs. live weight x 55% x 70% = 385 lbs. of wrapped meat to go in your freezer. Again, these are calculations based on averages, but it gives you a ballpark idea of how much meat comes from a single animal.

We use Dziuk's Meat Market in Castroville, TX.  Why use Dziuk's?  First, it is a wonderful small town meat market.  Even if you don't buy a steer from us, you need to visit Dziuk's.  Just walking in the door will make you hungry.  Also, you just can't beat their quality and small town commitment to customer service.

Second, this is all just about the meat.  Any time you transport cattle, that causes stress.  Stress can affect the flavor and tenderness of the meat.  Less transport time causes less stress, which makes your meat taste better.  We chose a butcher within an hour or so from the ranch, and located near San Antonio, so we could service both Austin And San Antonio markets.  Dziuk's is a short drive for our cattle and convenient for anyone in Central Texas.

At Skip Rock Ranch, we believe it is important that you know where your food comes from and we want you to participate in the process. 

We will transport your steer to Dziuk's Meat Market in Castroville, Texas.   www.Dziuks.com.  You need to call Greg, Kenton, or Jeff at Dziuk's  to tell them how you want your steer butchered.  They will talk you through the process, answer any questions, and make sure you get your meat butchered exactly the way you want if you order a whole or half.  (Quarter steers will be butchered by a standard method.)  

You will be buying the steer from Skip Rock Ranch through our on-line store.  Then you will pay Dziuk's for processing when you pick up your order.  When your order is ready, throw a couple of coolers in the back of the SUV, and head to Castroville.   

Generally, you will need 1 cubic foot of cooler space for 25 lbs. of meat.  A whole steer should fit into the empty 18 Cu. Ft. freezer in your garage.  If freezer space is tight, you might consider splitting an order with friends or neighbors.  We call this "Cow-Pooling."