Grass Fed Beef — Luna Valley Farm

Regeneratively Produced 100% Grass Fed Beef

Our 100% grass fed beef is raised with love for our animals, soils, waterways and future generations. Our cattle are born on pasture in the spring and spend their entire lives outside, grazing sweet forages on our small farm.

When you buy our beef, you’re buying more than tasty, nutrient dense meat! You’re helping us protect soil and water resources, and encouraging the growth of deep-rooted grasses. We are developing a regenerative agricultural system that aims to give more than it takes.

OUR PRACTICES

Our 100% grass fed cattle grazing sweet pastures on our farm. — **RED DEVON BREED**
Most of our cattle are a breed called “Red Devon.” We selected this breed because they thrive on a forage-only diet and do well in our landscape and climate.

Grass Fed Cattle enjoying the sunset at Luna Valley Farm. Our cattle are rotationally grazed in the warm months and bale graze hay in the winter. 100% grass fed and finished! — **ROTATIONALLY GRAZED**
When the grass is growing, our cattle are getting moved to fresh pasture almost daily. Our system of high density stock grazing improves the nutrient cycling process and microbial activity which leads to increased plant health, vigor and water infiltration.
Frequent pasture rotations are good for the health of our animals and the health of our land. We allow our pastures to rest for at least 45 days before bringing the cattle back to the same area to graze.

We have a cow calf operation, meaning that all of our calves are born on our farm and remain here for their entire lives. — **REGENERATIVE PRACTICES**
We protect our soil and water by keeping our farm in perennial vegetation. Our deep rooted pasture grasses keep our soils in place and draw moisture down into the earth. Through grazing we are able to transform the rough parts of our hilly farm into delicious food for our community.

Our grass fed meat is harvested for optimum flavor and tenderness. — **OPTIMUM FLAVOR AND TENDERNESS**
Throughout their lives our animals have access to high quality grass and hay, mineral and salt. Every day we provide our calves, cows and steers with the abundant nutrients they need to thrive. Our steers are harvested when they are 24-30 months old, a point at which they provide optimum flavor and tenderness and a great eating experience.

In the summer we make lots of hay for our grass fed cattle. — **LOCALLY FED**
In the summer we move the animals to fresh pasture daily. In the winter our animals eat hay consisting of forages like orchard, timothy, alfalfa, red clover, Italian rye grass and brome. We produce all of the hay that our animals eat so I guess you could say our animals eat locally!

Baby Fritz Beard with Tom checking on the cattle in their winter pasture. — **LIFETIME GRAZED**
We have a cow calf operation and all of our calves are born on pasture in the spring and are on pasture their entire lives.
In the winter we "bale graze" our cattle in a field that needs a boost of fertility. Bale grazing means we have round bales and bale rings placed throughout the pasture. The hay, bedding and manure that's left behind after a winter of grazing adds an awesome amount of organic matter and fertility to our soil! Nutrient cycling at it’s best!

THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO SOURCE OUR 100% GRASS FED BEEF

1) RETAIL CUTS

Swing by our little farm store (Pleasant General Store) to shop our selection of beef cuts whenever we are open for pizza.
(Pizza night schedule here).

Yes, you are welcome to swing by to shop for beef and other provisions during pizza night, even if you don’t have a pizza reservation.

Availability can vary throughout the season but we try to keep a variety of cuts in stock, including these: Ground Beef, Stew Meat, Roasts (Chuck, Brisket), Steaks (Sirloin, Ribeye, NY Strip, Filet, Flank, Skirt), Oxtail, Short Ribs, Shanks, Bones, Fat, Organs (Heart, Tongue, Liver)

Pleasant General Store at Luna Valley Farm offers the option to purchase grass fed beef.

2) CUSTOM BEEF

Quarter or Half Beef

This is the most economical way to buy our grass fed beef and you get the opportunity to work directly with the locker to get the cuts you know you’ll love.

Cost/Hanging Weight Pound: $5.10 + Processing (~$1.00/hanging weight pound)

Average 1/4 Steer
Please note that steers vary in size and processing costs vary according to what you order.
Your total bill may be less or more than this sample.
-Hanging weight: 175
-Cost/Hanging Weight Pound: $5.10
-Processing cost: ~$1.00/hanging weight pound
-Total cost of a custom 1/4 steer: $892.50 (hanging weight) + $175 (processing) = $1,067.50
-Pounds of meat: 110 (more, if you get bone-in cuts)
-Price/Pound of Packaged Meat: ~$9.70

When you commit to a custom quarter or half you also have the option to request bones and organ meat from the locker.

A deposit of $200 (Quarter) or $400 (Half) is due at the time of reservation.

Pickup / Delivery: Most of our local customers pick their beef up directly from the locker when it’s ready. We are also able to arrange delivery through the Iowa Food Hub to set drop locations in places such as Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines. Cost varies by location and customer is billed for delivery by the Iowa Food Hub.