Placing and Receiving orders
How do I place an order?
- Select a size of beef you want from the product selections (quarter, half, whole).
- Place your deposit by checking out with your order selection
- We will contact you with the estimated date of when your beef will be ready - processing can be seasonal.
- Once the beef is processed and packaged we will send you a final weight and invoice for the full order (less the deposit).
- We will reach out via email to coordinate a pickup time for your beef in Golden, CO or Kansas City.
How much will I pay per pound of beef?
- We invoice off “processed pounds” (the amount of beef you actually receive). Many sellers will invoice off “hanging weight” which is what the cow weighs with bones and legs prior to final processing. This means - their price per pound is less (because the cow weighs more prior to processing). However, our price per pound is the actual price you pay for the packaged meat you receive - with no funny business. Our price per pound is $12.50 for a whole beef, $13 for a half, and $13.75 for a quarter.
How will I receive my order?
All beef cuts are individually packaged (steaks in pairs), vacuum sealed, and labeled. They will be placed in a cardboard box for pickup.
When will my order be ready?
We generally process cows in the fall and spring. Depending on when you place your order deposit you will be notified of the order ready date range.
What happens if I place a deposit and then have to cancel before the order is ready?
The deposit on a beef order only covers the processing of the animal equal to around 20% of the total price of the order. Our ranch takes on the bulk of financial responsibility for the order until full payment is received prior to order pickup. Because of the costs we incur when you commit to purchase a beef order - we cannot afford to refund deposits for cancelled orders. All deposits are non-refundable.
Packaging and Storage Requirements:
How much freezer space do I need to store my beef order?
- Whole Beef: Requires 16-22 cubic feet.
- Half Beef: Requires 8-11 cubic feet.
- Quarter Beef: Requires 4-5 cubic feet.
How is the beef packaged?
All beef cuts are individually packaged, vacuum sealed, and labeled. They will be placed in a box for pickup.
How should I cook grass-fed beef?
Grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed, so we recommend cooking it at a lower temperature and for a shorter time to retain juiciness and tenderness.
Animal Welfare and Information
Where does Morning Star Meat come from?
All of the black angus beef we sell is raised right here on our ranch in east Missouri.
What are the cows fed?
Our cows are free to roam our pastures in east Missouri for the entirety of their lives. Most of their calories come from grazing and foraging on the pastures. During winter months we supplement some of their calories with hay and silage grown right here on the ranch.
Are your cows subjected to hormone supplementation?
We never give our cows any hormones. They are all natural in that aspect!
What breed of cows do you raise?
Our herd consists exclusively of Black Angus cows. Black Angus is widely considered to be the most premium breed for beef consumption.