Frequently Asked Questions

To us, grass fed means that the cows were fed 100% grass during their entire lifetime. Or in other words, “grass fed, grass finished”. Regardless, our cows are raised directly by the Circle J Ranch and we have complete control over how the animal is produced and processed.

Read Grass-fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef: Which One Is Best for You? for more information.

If any of our animals get sick, we do treat them, but we take them out of the supply of beef we provide to our customers. We are devoted to providing the best and most natural product to you.

Grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef, so it benefits from slightly different cooking techniques. For steaks, searing them quickly at high heat and using a thermometer to avoid overcooking is key. Slow-cooking methods like braising or roasting work well for tougher cuts like brisket or chuck. Grass-fed beef tends to cook faster due to its lower fat content, so watch your cooking times closely.

Read Grass-fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef: Which One Is Best for You? for more information.

Definitely! Buying half a cow is a great way to dive into sourcing beef locally. If you’re new to the process, we’ll guide you every step of the way, from understanding the cuts to properly storing your beef.

Yes, you’ll need a decent amount of freezer space to store approximately 200–300 pounds of beef. Plan for around 7–9 cubic feet of freezer space.

Read How to Store Half a Cow (and Enjoy It for Months) for more information.

You typically receive around 200–300 pounds of beef, including a variety of cuts like steaks, roasts, and ground beef. This can vary depending on the size of the animal.

Read Breaking Down Bulk Beef Shares for more information.

You’ll get steaks (ribeye, sirloin, tenderloin), roasts (chuck, rump, brisket), ground beef, and specialty items like stew meat, short ribs, and soup bones.

Read Breaking Down Bulk Beef Shares for more information.

Generally, it can take 4–8 weeks from the time you place your order to delivery, depending on cattle availability and processing slots.

Yes! Many ranches allow customization of steak thickness, ground beef portions, and whether you prefer more roasts or specialty cuts.

Hanging weight is measured after slaughter before butchering. Packaged weight is about 60–70% of the hanging weight, after trimming and processing.

Beef is vacuum-sealed and flash-frozen. Store it in a deep freezer at 0°F or lower. Most cuts last up to 12 months, ground beef 4–6 months.

Read How to Store Half a Cow (and Enjoy It for Months) for more information.

It ranges from $1800–$2800 depending on weight, which typically breaks down to $9–$15 per pound including processing.

Yes. Per-pound costs are much lower, and you lock in pricing upfront. It’s a great value for regular beef consumers.

Read The Real Cost Savings of Bulk Beef for more information.

Yes. Akaushi is a Japanese Red Wagyu breed—one of four official Wagyu breeds. All Akaushi is Wagyu, but not all Wagyu is Akaushi. It's a rare, premium type known for excellent marbling and tenderness.

Read What Is Akaushi Beef? Health, Flavor, and More for more information.

Yes. Akaushi beef is richer, more tender, and more flavorful than typical grocery store beef. People often describe it as buttery, juicy, and full of umami—even ground beef tastes noticeably better.

Read What Is Akaushi Beef? Health, Flavor, and More for more information.

Keep it simple. Use high heat and cook to medium-rare (130–135°F) to preserve its marbling. Salt and pepper are usually all you need. Let steaks rest before slicing, and for burgers or roasts, cook gently to retain juices.

Read What Is Akaushi Beef? Health, Flavor, and More for more information.

You can buy direct from ranchers like Circle J Meat, at select butcher shops, online meat retailers, and fine-dining restaurants. We raise and sell certified Akaushi and ship locally or offer pickup in Texas.

Shop for Akaushi wagyu beef here.

Our meat is available online, for pickup at our Spring Branch office, and at the Memorial Villages Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9AM–1PM.

Yes, you can pick up from the Memorial Villages Farmers Market or our Spring Branch office in Houston. Select these options at checkout.

We deliver within all of the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Zone 1 (West Houston) - $19.95 or free shipping for orders over $150.00

Zone 2 (Greater Houston) - $19.95 or free shipping for orders over $200.00

Zone 3 (Texas) - $24.95 or free shipping for orders over $200.00

Zone 4 (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee) - $29.95 or free shipping for orders over $200.00

Zone 5 (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin) - $39.95 or free shipping for orders over $300.00

We ship on Mondays and Tuesdays. Your package should arrive within 7 days of order. Bulk beef follows a scheduled slaughter date.

Yes, everything ships frozen with dry ice. Your order should be fine on your doorstep until you get home to place it in the freezer.

We use a cardboard box with a frozen-grade insulated liner and dry ice. It’s normal if the dry ice has evaporated upon arrival.

Handle it with gloves or a towel. Let it sublimate in a ventilated area until it disappears completely.