We’ve been locally raising beef in Moses Lake for over 30 years. We believe locally-raised grass-fed cattle are better for the health of our family, our community and our environment. We continually strive to improve our herd, our ranching methods and the experience for our customers.

All our cattle are born, raised and harvested on our farm. They graze on our pastures during spring, summer and fall; during winter they are fed alfalfa grown on our farm. They are slaughtered on our pasture, and never bear the trauma of feedlots or mass-kill facilities. They do not receive any artificial growth hormones, steroids, or anti-biotics (unless an individual animal is being treated for illness, in which case it is not sold for custom beef). Cows have access to mineral supplements and newborn calves receive a booster shot of selenium to account for mineral deficiencies in our region. 

Grass-fed beef is lower in cholesterol, lower in omega 6 fatty acids and higher in omega 3 fatty acids than feedlot or grain-finished beef. That puts the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio into the ideal range for human protein synthesis.
In addition to being less healthy, the effect of improving meat grade by grain-finishing is negligible, as fat distribution with muscle groups is a genetic trait. Most of the fat from grain-finished cattle settles on top of the muscle and is cut off during processing.

We sell live beef by the 1/4, meaning you essentially partner with a few other people to buy a steer, then pay the butcher to harvest and process the beef. You will pay Trautman Family Farms for the meat, and butcher for the processing.

• Our beef is invoiced at $4.25/lb by rail weight, and the processing fee is approximately $1.25/lb (paid to Block 40 Meats upon pick up). A discount of $.25/lb will be applied for whole beef orders. The industry standard for locker beef is to sell by weight per quarter after harvesting and dressing. This measurement is also known as "rail weight" or "hot carcass weight (HCW)". The packaged beef you receive is approximately 65% of the rail weight. The other 35% is removed during the aging and cutting process in the form of unwanted bone, fat, connective tissue and water content. If you order a lot of bone-in cuts (or take the bones for broth or dog treats), then packaged weight goes up.        

• Adjusted Average Cost = $7.50/lb by packaged weight. This is the average total price you are paying per pound for our grass-fed custom beef.  

• Cost Comparison:  

  Safeway Beef Prices as of Spring 2024

  • Grass-fed 15% lean beef $9.49/lb
  • Grass-fed stew meat $9.99/lb
  • Grass-fed flank steak $10.99/lb
  • Grass-fed chuck roast $12.99/lb
  • Grass-fed top sirloin steak $18.99/lb
  • Grass-fed ribeye $25.99/lb
  • Average Store Cost = $14.74/lb by packaged weight

We will email you an invoice after your beef is butchered. Trautman Family Farms accepts cash or check (and Venmo, by exception). Block 40 Meats accepts, cash, check or credit cards for the processing fee. Payment must be made to both prior to picking up the meat.

Usually within two week of the butcher date.