WTB: Side of Beef, bison or elk

[cidley69]

Do you have any suggestions regarding where to buy a half or quarter of beef, bison or elk in the Calgary area?

[lint]

I've split a cow from TK Ranch before

[speedog]

Highwood Valley Ranch (link (http://www.highwoodvalleyranch.com/)) - their beef is so good. We've bought two quarters from them in the past and are about to get our third.

[firebane]

Originally posted by speedog
Highwood Valley Ranch (link (http://www.highwoodvalleyranch.com/)) - their beef is so good. We've bought two quarters from them in the past and are about to get our third.

What is their pricing like? I don't need 2 quarters but if I could fill a freezer with meat for a good price I will.

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by firebane


What is their pricing like? I don't need 2 quarters but if I could fill a freezer with meat for a good price I will.

http://www.highwoodvalleyranch.com/products_prices.htm

[speedog]

Thx Neil4Speed - I didn't think that their web site was all that difficult to navigate.

[firebane]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed


http://www.highwoodvalleyranch.com/products_prices.htm

Ah missed it. Thanks :nut:

[nixon45]

I am also looking for some Elk and Bison... don't see it on Highwood's website so I may be blind. Anyone have any alternatives for buying small quantities of game meat like steaks etc.?

I have tried the Second to None Meats location in Mission, but they didn't have a ton.

[speedog]

Originally posted by nixon45
I am also looking for some Elk and Bison... don't see it on Highwood's website so I may be blind. Anyone have any alternatives for buying small quantities of game meat like steaks etc.?

I have tried the Second to None Meats location in Mission, but they didn't have a ton.
The Butcher Shoppe in Airdrie has bison and elk - link (http://www.thebutchershoppe.ca/content/view/12/27/).

[speedog]

There's also Chinook Edge Lamb and Goat (link (http://crossroadsmarket.ca/vendor_details?&content_id=103)) and Ravenwood Farm Fresh Meats (link (http://crossroadsmarket.ca/vendor_details?&content_id=169)) - both of whom are located at the Crossroads Market. Some interesting types of meats available there.

[nixon45]

^ Awesome thank you! Not sure why I never went in that place when I lived in Airdrie

[msommers]

Nice work Speedog! I too would like to fill the freezer but half a cow is way too much for one person.

[cidley69]

Those prices seem pretty steep. $24/lb for steak??!!!

I'm in for a 1/4 cow, so if someone else want to buy a 1/4 we can split a half.

Was hoping to find a farm that sells by the 1/2 cow. these little shops are more like boutique butcher shops.

[speedog]

Originally posted by cidley69
Those prices seem pretty steep. $24/lb for steak??!!!

I'm in for a 1/4 cow, so if someone else want to buy a 1/4 we can split a half.

Was hoping to find a farm that sells by the 1/2 cow. these little shops are more like boutique butcher shops.
Highwood Valley Ranch is a farm - beef is their business. The other places are more boutique-like but you can get some unique stuff from them. Rabbit, alligator.

[austic]

Awesome Bison (http://www.glengarybison.com/)

My aunt and uncle own a Bison ranch in Airdrie. Its amazing stuff and cheaper buying it from them directly.

[A790]

Got a quarter cow through them at $3.80/hanging lb. Very happy :)

http://wineglassranchalberta.com/

[spikerS]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed


http://www.highwoodvalleyranch.com/products_prices.htm

/whistle
jeebus they are expensive! A lot of their stuff is twice what I would pay at a grocery store!

[cidley69]

$24/lb for steak??!!!

That's like $53 per kilo!

[DEATH2000]

Havent ordered from them yet, but plan to in the spring:

http://www.crmr.com/ranch/

Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch. They have a booth at the Millerville Farmers Market as well as several other locations.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by DEATH2000
Havent ordered from them yet, but plan to in the spring:

http://www.crmr.com/ranch/

Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch. They have a booth at the Millerville Farmers Market as well as several other locations.

jeesus, they are even more expensive.

Fools and their money are easily parted!

[flipstah]

Anyone know sources within the Farmers Market on Blackfoot? Just looking to get ground Bison.

[speedog]

When you buy a quarter, prices become competitive and you are getting a much better tasting product.

[austic]

Originally posted by flipstah
Anyone know sources within the Farmers Market on Blackfoot? Just looking to get ground Bison.

I just bought some at co op but I am sure you can buy the same thing for more at the farmers market.

[flipstah]

^ you can buy it at coop?! What?!

[adamc]

registering my interest for going in with a couple beyonders on a half, or 1/4

[austic]

Originally posted by flipstah
^ you can buy it at coop?! What?!

The one on 85th street by Aspen and Wentworth has it for sure, not sure if its a location thing but we pick it up all the time for bison burgers or chili when we dont feel like driving all the way to Airdrie.

[speedog]

Originally posted by cidley69
$24/lb for steak??!!!

That's like $53 per kilo!
Okay, let's compare.

Cross rib roast at Superstore - sale price this week is $4.48 per pound, Highwood Valley Ranch's price is $6.00 per pound. More expensive - yes but I can guarantee you that that roast from Highwood Valley Ranch will have way more flavour and will be way more tender, something that can be said of all of their meat.

When one buys a quarter or half, the cost per pound drops drastically to the point where it is very cost competitive with Superstore when one factors in the cost of all the beef (steaks, ground, roasts) one might buy at Superstore and again, you will be getting a much superior product.

So yeah, one can pick apart the individual price points of specific products, but if you consume beef on a regular basis and have the freezer space to accommodate a bulk purchase, then a quarter of half is the way to go. This week at Superstore, extra lean ground beef is on sale at $2.88 per pound - compare that to an average price of $3.50 a pound (plus an additional and small processors cost) and that quarter all of a sudden becomes very price competitive because of all the steaks and roasts one gets in addition to ground beef.

Never the less, some will continue to pick apart the pricing structures that these producers have - all I know is I've done the math on a quarter and the same amount of money I'd spend at Superstore over a span of 3-4 months is better spent on the same amount of product from a producer at the same end price to me and all that for a much superior product.

[nixon45]

Apparently my neighbour had a bunch of elk steaks and just gave me 5 for free! Also gave me some nice deer sausages. Who knew I just had to knock on his door vs. finding a store.