Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of beef do you sell?
Twin Oak Farms raises primarily Shorthorn and Shorthorn Plus breed of cattle. Shorthorn beef is well known for excellent marbling. We sell all-natural, premium-quality, corn-fed beef. Animals in our care are fed no antibiotics, hormones or steroids.
What does it cost to order freezer beef?
Our 2023 beef is priced at $3.75 per pound hanging weight. Processing cost will depend on which butcher you select and specialty instructions to the butcher. The total cost of our typical 450 lbs. hanging half of freezer beef, including approximate processing fees for 2023, is approximately $2099.50. Your cost for 315 lbs/ finished weight in your freezer beef is about $6.66 per pound.
How do I pay for the beef?
When we have the beef scheduled for slaughter we require a $500 deposit payable to Twin Oak Farms. We will call you to with the final price of the hanging beef after slaughter. We will then give instructions on how to relay your cutting and wrapping orders to the custom butcher. After you have paid the balance of the beef cost to Twin Oak Farms we will release the beef to you at the butcher. Cost of the processing varies depending on the extra charges incurred (ie patties, tenderizing, slaughtering charges, specialty items) which is paid directly to the butcher. You may pay for your beef by cash, check or credit card (3% surcharge for credit card payments is common). ALL payment for beef MUST be received before you go to pick up your beef at the butcher.
What butcher do I use?
If you are purchasing a hanging half of beef you may pick from two butchers, Canaan Meats in Creston, Ohio or Pinhook Meats located in Lucas, Ohio. If you are purchasing an entire beef you may choose any butcher that the slaughterhouse, Heffelfinger Meats Inc. of Jeromesville Ohio delivers to or that you can arrange delivery.
What kind of cuts will I get?
In a half of a beef, there are approximately 12 roasts, 14 t-bone steaks, 5 sirloin steaks, 5 sirloin tip steaks, 14 rib-eye steaks, 4 filet mignon and 6 round steaks. There are also short ribs, flank steak, stew meat, brisket, and approximately 75 lbs. of ground beef. You can choose to have any of the cuts made into ground beef or other specialty cuts. Many cuts of beef are known by different names and working with your butcher you can customize your packaging for your convenience.
Courtesy of BeefItWhatsForDinner.com Click image to enlarge.
How much beef will I get?
Your net amount of beef in your freezer is dependent on the size of the animal. Twin Oak Farms beefs generally weigh 400 to 450 pounds hanging a hanging half. Standard-cut processing results in an approximately 30% yield loss. So if you have the beef “standard-cut”, you would expect to take home approximately 315 pounds of packaged meat for a 450 pound half. If you have a lot of your steaks and/or roasts made into ground beef, you will have less packaged meat than with the “standard-cut”. Also, if you have a lot of your beef de-boned, you will have less packaged meat than average.
How much freezer space do I need?
A rule of thumb is one cubic foot of freezer space for each 35-40 pounds of cut and wrapped meat. Allow slightly more space when the meat is packaged in odd shapes. So if you order a half of beef, you need about 10 cubic feet.
Why does Twin Oak Farms raise Shorthorn beef?
The Shorthorn brings with it high marbling traits and the ability to cross well with just about any breed. Specifically, crossbreeding with Shorthorn cattle offers increased calving ease, docility, fertility, growth and carcass quality. Shorthorn cattle are a particularly hardy breed of animal, an important factor, since we do not feed our animals any antibiotics, hormones or steroids. By feeding Shorthorns we provide juicy and flavorful beef to our customers.
What do you feed your beef?
At Twin Oak Farms we raise our animals on pasture and hay plus a voluntary offering of feed which contains ground shell corn, spelt and soybean meal for the first 12 to 14 months. All of our feed is prepared on the farm with our own equipment. Our cattle are then finished with a higher ration of feed consisting of ground shell corn and protein supplement which balances nutrient deficiencies in corn-based rations to improve gains and feed efficiency.
When is your beef available?
Twin Oak Farms freezer beef can be purchased at any time during the year based on availability. We take orders on a first-come, first-served basis.
Which Processor is the best?
Both of our custom butchers are state inspected and maintain sanitary processing conditions. We work with these specific processors because they offer high quality processing as well as exceptional customer service to our customers. We recommend either of the custom butchers used by Twin Oak Farms for our private label beef. Canaan Meats located in Wooster , Ohio and Pinhook meats which is located in Lucas, Ohio. Both are highly qualified butchers which use family recipes in their specialty products and provide vacuum seal packaging.
How do I get my beef processed?
After you receive notification that your beef is at the Processor, you will need to contact them to give them your “cutting instructions”. They will go through a list of questions about how you want your beef cut and packaged. They will ask things like how thick you want your steaks, how many steaks per package, how big you want your roasts, how many pounds of ground beef per package (we recommend one pound packs), if you want cube steaks, soup bones, size of patties, how many patties per package,whether you want rib steaks or rib roast or a combination, and several other questions. If you want heart, liver, tongue or oxtail you need to tell the butcher specifically. This is a very easy process and the Processor will guide you through it. (Remember, If you have your steaks cut thicker you will have fewer steaks in your freezer)
How do I order a Twin Oak Farms Beef?
To request information or to order beef, please do one of the following:
- Email: [email protected] or
- Facebook message at twinoakfarms/beef or
- Call: Jason Workman at 419-651-2442 or
- Mail: Twin Oak Farms, 915 State Route 95, Perrysville, Ohio 44864
We need your name, address, home phone, work (daytime) phone, email, choice of Processor, and size of beef you’re ordering to process your order.
What happens after I order the beef?
Once we receive your order, we will send you a confirmation, telling you that we have confirmed your order at the specific Processor you requested. If you don’t receive a confirmation within two weeks after placing your order, please contact us by phone at 419-651-2442. We put your name on list and require your choice of local area butcher. When we have the beef scheduled for slaughter we require a $500 deposit. We will call you to with the final price of the hanging beef after slaughter and give instructions on how to relay your cutting and wrapping orders to the custom butcher. After you have paid the balance of the beef cost to Twin Oak Farms we will release the beef to you at the butcher. Cost of the processing varies depending on the extra charges incurred (ie patties, tenderizing, slaughtering charges, specialty items) which is paid directly to the butcher.
The beef usually hangs for ten days to 2 weeks, and then the Processor cuts and wraps it. They will contact you when it is ready to be picked up. You will need to pay the Processor for their processing charges when you pick up the beef.
The butchers have limited storage space, so you will need to pick up your beef as soon as possible after they notify you. Be sure that you have adequate freezer space and the beef is well frozen before you pick it up from the butcher. We recommend when transporting to your home that you wrap the boxes of beef in several blankets or place it in coolers to keep it frozen for the ride.
Then you’ll be set for those summer barbecue parties!
How can I learn more about Twin Oak Farms beef?
Just email [email protected] with your questions or call 419-651-2442.