How to Buy Organic Quarter Beef in Kentucky

Kentucky has over 1 million beef cows, according to the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association.

Kentucky is the largest beef-producing state east of the Mississippi River, according to the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. Although packaged organic cuts are available from natural food and conventional grocers throughout Kentucky, organic beef quarters are typically purchased directly from farmers.

Identifying Organic Beef

Grass-fed beef is not the same as certified organic beef. Organic beef can also be grain-fed.

Only cattle raised according to stringent USDA guidelines are certified organic. Beef labeled natural or grass-fed is not necessarily certified organic. Certified organic meat may be further classified as 100 percent organic, organic (at least 95 percent organic material) or made with organic ingredients (between 70 and 95 percent organic material).

Costs

Buying organic beef wholesale provides a variety of cuts.

Although organic beef is typically more expensive than conventional, buying a quarter from a farmer can reduce the cost substantially.

Measuring Beef

Weight is based on hanging weight. Hanging weight is what the cow weighs after quartering. The actual meat will weigh less due to trim loss. A quarter share will last a family of four about four to six months and typically weighs between 100 and 125 pounds.

Sources

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture administers the commonwealth's organic certification program and can provide assistance in locating certified organic beef producers.

References

• Kentucky Beef Council
• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, "Consumer and Producer Guide to Organic and Natural Meats"
• The Cox Family Farms
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture Organic Program

Resources

• Time Magazine, "Cow-Pooling: Buying Beef in Mega-Bulk"
• Kentucky Proud
• USDA National Organic Program
• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Organic Beef Profile