How It Works

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At Delta Pastures, we raise 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef here in the California Delta. We sell our beef through California’s Custom-Exempt program, which means:

• You are purchasing a share of a live animal (¼, ½, or whole cow).
• Once you reserve your share, the animal is processed at a CDFA-licensed custom-exempt butcher.
• The butcher prepares the beef to your specifications, and all cuts are returned to you, packaged, vacuum-sealed, frozen, and labeled “Not for Sale.”
   

This ensures you receive beef directly from your share of the animal.

• After slaughter, beef typically takes 2–3 weeks to dry age, cut, wrap, and freeze.
• Once ready, you’ll pick up your order directly from the butcher.

1. Beef Cost (Paid to Delta Pastures)

• $9.50/lb based on finished butcher weight (the take-home, packaged weight).

Example: 1,000 lb live steer → approx. 450 lbs finished beef (Paid to Delta Pastures)

• Whole beef: 450 × $9.50 = $4,275
• Half beef: ≈ $2,137.50
• Quarter beef: ≈ $1,068.75

Deposits (non-refundable, applied toward total balance and paid to Delta Pastures):

• Whole beef: $2,000 deposit
• Half beef: $1,000 deposit
• Quarter beef: $500 deposit

2. Butcher Fee (Paid Directly to the Butcher)

• $1.55/lb based on hanging weight (the carcass after slaughter)

Example: 1,000 lb steer → 650 lb hanging weight 

• Whole beef: 650 × $1.55 = $1,007.50
• Half beef: 325 x $1.55 = $503.75
• Quarter beef: 162.50 x $1.55 = $251.88

3. Total Example All-In (**All Final Costs vary based on final weights)

• Whole animal: $4,275 (to us) + $1,007.50 (to butcher) = $5,282.50
• That equals about $11.70/lb of finished beef in your freezer.

• Hanging Weight ≈ 65% of live weight
• Finished Packaged Weight ≈ 45% of live weight
• Example: 1,000 lb live steer → ~650 lbs hanging → ~450 lbs finished cuts

• You choose how you’d like your beef cut — steaks, roasts, ground beef, bone-in or boneless.
• Everything comes vacuum-sealed, labeled, and frozen for long-term storage.

• Delta Pastures is in Compliance with CA Custom-Exempt. 
• Beef is sold by animal shares (¼, ½, or whole), not by individual retail cuts.
• Ownership of the animal is transferred to you before slaughter.
• Customers must sign a contract acknowledging purchase of ownership prior to slaughter.
• Processing is handled by a CDFA-licensed custom-exempt facility.
• Packages are marked “Not for Sale” since they are for the owners only.
• This ensures full compliance with California Custom-Exempt regulations while allowing you to enjoy premium, locally raised, grass-fed beef.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are always happy to hear from our customers and welcome any feedback you may have.