FAQ's

Here we try to answer several frequently-asked-questions about grass-fed beef in general, and Sumas Mountain Farms in particular...

What's the difference between "grass-fed beef" and "grass-fed & finished" beef?

All beef cows eat grass at some time in their lives, and therefore some beef producers will claim their beef is "grass-fed" when in reality it was only grass-fed for a few months and then finished on grain in a feed-lot. Therefore it's important for you to always ask "Is this beef lifetime grass-only?" Here at Sumas Mountain Farms, our beef cows only eat grass their entire lives. They are 100% lifetime grass-only, grass-fed & finished beef cows.

I notice that when I order "grass-fed & finished beef" it sometimes varies in flavor and tenderness. How come?

Since our cattle are never confined, and are free to roam around, the beef will have more tendency to vary from cow to cow --- meaning some will be more tender, some more flavorful, and so on. This is normal. Unlike industrial-scale feedlots, where cattle are confined to relatively small areas and fed grain in order to produce a standardized uniform "product" with no variation, our farm allows the cattle to live as they were designed to, freely grazing on pasture and living naturally. As a result, the cows are all different, all distinct, all unique, and lack the standardization and uniformity of a confinement operation. Therefore, some of our beef cows are more tender than others, some more flavorful, some leaner, some bigger, some smaller... and that's ok. Variability is normal in nature --- uniformity is not. For us, the point isn't to produce beef that is always exactly the same from cow to cow. Rather, it's to produce beef that is exceptionally healthy for humans and the planet, and kind and respectful to the cows. Therefore we adapt our expectations to the beef that each animal uniquely produces, rather than forcing the animals into an unhealthy farming model.

Once I bought some grass-fed beef from a farm in Alberta and it tasted weird. How come?

Some beef farmers will range their cows on arid and weed-ridden areas. This is especially true in dry regions, like the interior of BC and Alberta. If the beef cow has been eating aromatic plants, brush or certain weed species, their meat may take on an undesirable flavor. That's why it's always better to buy beef from a producer who ensures the cows are pastured exclusively on quality species like ryegrass and clover. Sumas Mountain Farms is in the lush Central Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, where plenty of rainfall ensures our ryegrass/clover pastures are ideal for cattle grazing. The result? Delicious beef that is truly healthy.

Do I have to order beef that's been frozen, or can I get it unfrozen?

We don't sell unfrozen beef. As soon as our butcher cuts the beef, it's wrapped and frozen. In this way, its freshness and safety are optimized.

How long do you age the beef before it's cut-and-wrapped? Is it dry-aged?

Between about 14 and 21 days, typically closer to 14. The meat is leaner than feed-lot beef, and the leaner the beef the less time is required to age it. And yes, we only dry-age, which results in a more flavorful product than wet-aging.
Can I buy beef from you by the side, or the quarter, or do you only sell individual cuts.

We mostly sell individual cuts, but we can certainly sell you a side or a quarter if you prefer, just contact us to arrange it.

Why do you charge more for your beef than Safeway does?

When beef cows are raised entirely on grass, they mature more slowly. In fact, they often take 1 (sometimes 2) years longer to mature than feed-lot beef. In the late fall and winter time, when the pasture grasses are dormant, we feed the cows hay. The hay is, of course, certified organic, which is costly. Therefore, the longer the beef cow takes to mature, the more it costs us. That's ok with us, because we know the end result is beef that is healthier for families, healthier for the earth, and healthier for the animals.

What are some other reasons why "grass-fed & finished" beef is healthier?

Aside from all the excellent health reasons to eat "grass-only" beef (such as higher omega-3 fatty acids, higher vitamin and mineral levels, lower unhealthy fats, and so on) there are some additional benefits to consider: Most beef cattle are fattened on grain in feedlots --- which can make the animals' gastro-intestinal tracts overridden with unhealthy bacteria. Conversely, "grass-only" beef cows that are raised exclusively on pasture are unlikely to develop this problem, because the PH level in their digestive systems is radically different than for feed-lot beef. Besides, common sense tells us that if an animal is raised in a healthy way, eating pasture grass like it's designed to eat, the meat it produces will be healthier too. Read more about the benefits here.

What are some other things that make Sumas Mountain Farms beef different?

For us, the entire process of raising livestock and having a farm is a statement about what is important in life. We do things differently than most farms. Learn more here.

Tell me more about your farm...

We are a 100%-owned family farm, so you can rest assured that everything that bears our name is produced on our farm with the greatest attention to every detail. You see, we truly care about the health of our family, and we care about yours too. Our mission is to provide families with truly healthy meat. Read more about our farm here.

Do you raise all your own beef cattle?

Yes.

What do you mean when you say your farm is 100% "organic"?

100% organic means no drugs, no antibiotics, no hormones, no pesticides, no chemicals, no toxins, and no contaminants... and animals that are treated humanely and allowed to live as they were designed to. We're certified organic through an independent third party certification authority, and must comply with strict regulations in order to meet the organic criteria. Learn more here.

Why is it better to buy my food from local sources?

This is so important. Please read more about why people are choosing to buy their food from local, family-farms...