First Farm Raised Steak

dustyjay · February 03, 2014, 09:31:40 PM

For dinner tonight was a 1.9 pound, 1 1/2" thick porterhouse steak that I've been watching grow for 22 months. (Don't worry, I shared.)Add in a glass of wine (or two) and I'm in a pretty happy place.

Two heifers were slaughtered on farm and sent to the butcher Jan 17th. They hung at 678 and 682#, and net 998 pounds of finished product. It cost me about $1.51/lb to grow these beef. They were purebred Simmental, twin heifers. I have their mother and sister on the farm, bred I believe to deliver in May.

The wonderful flavors and the knowledge of food security makes worthwhile all the nights of cold work, moving (and moving again) round bales, feeders, and water. Even though this isn't rocket science, I still have a lot to learn, and am going to continue down this path.

I just wanted to share. I hope I don't offend.

fishpharmer · February 03, 2014, 09:44:08 PM

A just reward for a job well done. If that offends anyone, they are on the wrong forum. Cooked and not, the steak looks great! 8)

beenthere · February 03, 2014, 09:56:09 PM

Looks delicious... on the plate too.

hardtailjohn · February 04, 2014, 12:31:07 AM

Good for you! Nothing in the world like food that you've had a hand in raising. I've raised more than one that I was really glad to see on a plate! HAHAHA! We raise our own beef...have since I came along. I always am amazed at the difference in taste of feedlot raised beef........
Enjoy!!
John

sawguy21 · February 04, 2014, 03:40:32 AM

Offend ??? I think not, most of us are drooling. :D That looks mighty good and you have every right to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

thecfarm · February 04, 2014, 08:04:31 AM

Right from hoof to plate. When are you cooking again?
POSTON may want Magicman's coconut cake,I want dustyjay's steak. :D

Rockn H · February 04, 2014, 08:25:41 AM

That's the healthiest way to have steaks... I'm so envious. ;D When we have steaks at a friend of ours the steaks sometimes have a name.... he raises roping steers. The steaks are so lean, but so juicy...

chevytaHOE5674 · February 04, 2014, 08:43:32 AM

Nothing better than eating the fruits of your labor.

Completely grass fed or did you finish them on grain?

ron barnes · February 04, 2014, 09:11:04 AM

Farm raised meat is so much better than store bought stuff.

Magicman · February 04, 2014, 10:48:44 AM

I can almost taste it from here.

dustyjay · February 04, 2014, 02:01:16 PM

Thanks folks for the support. I look forward to when this is the only way I get my beef and meals like this become commonplace.
I can't claim the meat's 100% grass fed, but I only feed grain on cold cold nights, mostly for the metabolic heat boost it gives the animals. Access to warm water reduces cold stress too. I don't buy special organic grain or anything, but I limit the volume of grain they get. All summer they are on grass only unless I want to catch them.

hardtailjohn · February 05, 2014, 08:31:34 AM

Ours are on grass as well. In the past, Dad always wanted to put 90 days of grain into them. I definitely can taste a difference. He always wanted to butcher a yearling as well...I like 'em a bit older. The last steer we did came in from summer range, and was standing on the meadow in back of my shop, eating with his girlfriends when he died. That was by far the best meat we've had. He was right at 30 months old and wound up dressing out at 1070#. The chuck steaks were bigger than our plates, but oh so tender! My wife and I had been fixing fence in one of the corrals one day and he waited until we were all done and had our tools loaded, then he walked over to the fence and jumped half way over.... So we got to get all our tools back out and fix some more. My wife looked at me and allowed at just how good he was going to taste...... and she was right! :D Got another one to go this fall when they come back off range again.....and yes he does have a name too..... "Chuck". ;D

drobertson · February 05, 2014, 12:02:58 PM

Looks great! mushrooms too! david

OlJarhead · February 05, 2014, 01:41:40 PM

Looks great! I still have to get my fence fixed on 3/4 of my 20acres and then add 1/4 mile of fence to the east before I can bring in cattle but hope to get at least two going soon (by 2015 anyway).

My neighbor tells me I can use his 50 acres as it's not used and is well fenced but I've yet to secure a trailer to bring in the cattle...I so want to though!

coxy · February 05, 2014, 09:56:39 PM

that looked good both ways my buddy is raising two one for me and one for him his 12 year old girl named one prime and the other rib :D they will be going in the freezer some time in march or april just in time for the summer bbq digin1 digin_2

justallan1 · February 05, 2014, 10:49:46 PM

Sure nothing offensive about someone doing good for themselves. Good job on some nice looking steak.

Allan

coalsmok · February 06, 2014, 07:48:57 PM

Nothing like your putting a fresh home raised steak on the table. I wont buy steak when eating out and after meeting me my wife wont either. There is a pig commited to join the freezer if its cold in the morning like the weather man promises. Then a rooster or six this weekend.
Home grown beef is just the start;).

Red Good · February 06, 2014, 09:16:03 PM

Steak looks great , bet it tasted the same , mushrooms and onions are also good . My honey bottle fed a heifer this fall , she is progressing very well . Now need a couple of steers so I have someone to put in the freezers next fall .I have come to the conclusion that chickens are really called bait ! lol We do a hog roast in late September and there is about 1/2 left generally so the frreezer has it's share of hog already . Very satisfing to grow your own food . Red