Frequently Asked Questions
Making an investment in American Wagyu can come with questions. We're here to provide answers to give you peace of mind when making a purchase that affects your family's dinner table.
What is American Wagyu?
American Wagyu is an F1 (50/50) cross between an American breed and a full-blood Wagyu. This combination results in exceptional marbling and tender beef. American Wagyu keeps the characteristics of a beefy-texture steak while elevating the flavor and dining experience. The price-point of American Wagyu is lower than full Wagyu beef.
Does American Wagyu Have Health Benefits?
American Wagyu offers notable health benefits. Wagyu cattle have a gene called Delta 9 Desaturate. This gene produces an enzyme that turns steric acid (saturated) into oleic acid (unsaturated). The resulting higher ratio of oleic acid has the ability to lower cholesterol, similar to eating avocado or salmon.
Is Your Beef Grass-Fed?
Our herd is grass-fed for a year and then grain-finished. Grain-finishing allows our customers to experience the true essence of Wagyu flavor and marbling in our beef products.
Where Do You Get Your Cattle?
We bought our first herd from a rancher in Alabama in December 2022. Since then, we have been growing our herd with an artificial insemination (AI) program, using superior Wagyu genetics. Additionally, we've been raising our small A5 full-blood Wagyu herd. We were fortunate enough to have two bulls born with wonderful marbling scores in 2023. These bulls will sire our own F2 herd moving forward.
Who Is Your Butcher?
We process our beef at Cattleman's Processing in Cochise, Arizona. They are family-owned and the only operating USDA processor in the state. Their team has done great work for us.
How Will My Beef Be Processed and Packaged?
Our beef is vacuum sealed and flash-frozen at Cattleman's Processing in Cochise, Arizona.
Why Do You Freeze Your Beef?
Our beef is flash-frozen; doing so at the peak of freshness locks in flavor and nutrients and ensures no break-down of enzymes or microorganisms that can deteriorate. Some people think that frozen beef is of lesser quality, not realizing that most commercial beef is frozen in transit and thawed before being displayed in supermarket butcher cases. Flash-freezing also means preservative-free.
Is Your Beef Aged?
Yes - Our beef carcass is hung and aged for 3 weeks prior to processing and packaging. This aging allows for the very best flavor and tenderness.
Does Your Beef Have Additives? Growth Hormones? Steroids?
No - absolutely not.
Do You Use Antibiotics?
It is very uncommon, but if a member of our herd becomes sick, we will always humanely treat the animal. Treatment can sometimes require an antibiotic. Antibiotics are only given if deemed necessary by our veterinarian.
Are Your Cows Vaccinated? How About the mRNA/Covid Vaccine?
Some livestock vaccinations are required by law.
Our herd is not and will not be vaccinated with the mRNA/Covid vaccine or any other elective vaccinations.
How Much Freezer Space Do I Need?
The below information is an approximation:
Whole Cow: Approx. 450lbs - 24 Cubic Feet Freezer Space
1/2 Cow: Approx. 225lbs - 12 Cubic Feet Freezer Space
1/4 Cow: Approx. 112lbs - 6 Cubic Feet Freezer Space
1/8 Cow: Approx. 56lbs - 3 Cubic Feet Freezer Space
Why Buy Local?
Buying directly from a rancher comes with benefits. With store-bought beef, you can't be certain where your beef is coming from or how it's been handled before it gets to your fridge. Commercial ground beef may include beef (and bacteria) from hundreds of cows; with ours, it's from a single cow.
Buying local, ethically sourced beef helps you feel good about what you're putting on the dinner table for your family. Buying directly from the rancher requires zero sales tax.