Frequently Asked Questions

Buying beef direct from a rancher is a little different than the grocery store. Here are some of the most common questions we get to help guide you through the process.

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Getting Started | Ordering, Processing & Pickup | Pricing & Payment | About the Beef

Getting Started

  • Absolutely. While it’s a larger upfront investment, most customers find:

    • Better value per pound

    • Single source animal (some store bought ground beef can actually include up to 100 different animals in a single pound

    • Higher quality meat free of unnatural preservatives or inputs

    • Convenience of having beef on hand

    • Whole = entire All-Natural Black Angus steer

    • Half = Commonly referred to as a “side”, half of Black Angus Steer

    • Quarter = 50% of a “side”. Each individual quarter receives equal proportion of primal cuts (eg Brisket, Sirloin, Chuck, Round, etc)

    Each option gives you a mix of all premium steaks, roasts, and ground beef, but customers have more flexibility for customization with a half or whole steer.

  • This depends on the animal, but typically:

    • 1,000 lb live animal → ~550–650 lb hanging weight

    • Final take-home: ~400–550 lbs (before splitting)

  • The following freezer space can easily accommodate a

    • Whole: ~12–18 cubic feet, 16-20 cubic feet recommend for ease of access/management

    • Half: ~6-9 cubic feet, 8-12 cubic feet recommended for ease of access/management

    • Quarter: ~3-5 cubic feet, 5-7 cubic feet recommended for ease of access/management

  • Many customers split a half or whole with friends or family to make it more manageable. Chest freezers are also relatively inexpensive and provide you a great option to keep your beef separate from kitchen freezer.

  • Grocery store beef often changes sources and quality. When you buy from Halo K:

    • You know your rancher

    • You know how your beef was raised

    • You get consistent cuts and quality every time

    • Your beef comes from a single animal

    • You know your beef was never given growth promotants, additional hormones, or ever fed animal byproducts

  • Actually, no. It is a larger investment upfront but your cost per pound is the same whether it’s a hamburger patty, filet or ribeye.

Ordering, Processing & Pickup

  • Simply fill out our “Reserve Your Beef” form or contact us directly via email. We’ll walk you through availability, pricing, and next steps. We are happy to talk on the phone to explain finer points of buying beef directly from Ranch.

  • No — we sell beef by the whole, half, or quarter animal. This allows you to get better value and stock your freezer with a variety of cuts.

  • Once your order is confirmed via deposit:

    • We reserve your animal tied to your processing appointment or “cattle drop”

    • You’ll receive updates from Halo K informing you of progress, including a successful drop off on your processing date

    • The processor will contact you to select and tailor  your preferred cuts

    • You’ll pick up your beef directly from the processor or utilize Halo K’s preferred 3rd party delivery service to have your beef delivered to your door.

  • Halo K fills its processing appointments on a first-come-first-serve basis throughout the year. Customers have the ability to reserve their animal as far in advance as they desire. Once your deposit is received and “cattle drop” date is secured. Your steer will be delivered and aged for 14 days to enhance flavor and tenderness. On the 15th day your steer will be cut to your exact specifications, each cut individually vacuum sealed and labeled,  and ready for pickup or delivery.

  • Yes — A deposit of $250.00 per quarter or $1000.00 for each steer is required to secure your slot against a scheduled cattle drop date.

  • You’ll pick up your order directly from our trusted local processor in Lampasas, Texas. We also use a 3rd party delivery service that delivers to Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and beyond. Halo K will help coordinate delivery.

  • Yes! The processor will contact you to customize:

    • Steak thickness

    • Roast sizes

    • Ground beef packaging

    • Specialty cuts

Pricing & Payment

  • Pricing is based on hanging weight, which is the weight of the animal after harvest and before processing.

  • There are two separate costs:

    • Payment to Halo K Cattle (for the all-natural steer)

    • Payment to the processor (aging, cutting, packaging, etc.)

  • We accept check, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Cash

    Processor accept check or card (varies).

About the Beef

  • All of our cattle are raised right here on our ranch with a focus on quality, care, and sustainability. Max is the custodian of every head from conception to consumption. They are bred, born, raised, and finished by him.

    • You know exactly where your beef comes from

    • You support local agriculture

    • You get consistent, high-quality beef

    • Massive cost savings

    • Peace of mind of having the most nutrient and protein dense superfood in case of emergency, crisis, or market spikes

  • Halo K is an all-natural operation. Our cattle do not receive additional hormones or growth promotants of any kind. If an animal is sick, we care for it to include potential use of antibiotics but that steer will be removed from our beef program. All of cattle are grass fed the majority of their lives. We can finish them on grass, or grain finish them at the customer request. We recommend “pasture-finished” steers who have access to very small grain ration during the day but are free range on pasture prior to harvesting. This provides additional marbling with the majority of its day on pasture grasses.

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help — reach out and we’ll walk you through it.

  • Reach out anytime — we’re happy to help guide you through the process and make it simple.