About our beef

Q: Is your beef USDA-inspected?

A: Yes. All of our beef is processed in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected facility. This ensures it meets all federal standards for safety, quality, and processing. 

Q: Where is your beef processed?

A: First it is processed at a USDA inspected facility, in Atwater then transferred to a USDA inspected butcher, for cutting, wrapping and freezing, currently Flying B Beef uses Western Meats in Modesto, but may also use Sanders Meat Service in Turlock. 

Q: Is your beef grass-fed, grass-finished, or grain-finished?

A: We are big proponents of consumer choice, so we offer both grass finished and grain-finished. 

• Our featured beef boxes solely utilize our grain finished beef. 

• Bulk Shares in whole, half or pre-cut quarter are available in grain finished all year round. 

• Bulk Shares in whole or half are available in grass finished once a year. We begin taking reservations for grass finished bulk shares in the spring, beef is typically ready in late May or mid-June. Grass finished is only offered once a year so that the finish flavor is as smooth as possible and aligns with our grass growing season, which is October to May, this ensures that for the last 90-120 days before processing your animal was consuming mostly green grass, this helps reduce the “gamey” flavor that can sometimes arise from dry forage when an animal is not grain-finished. 

• What is the difference between grain-finished and grass-finished, and grass-fed? Glad you asked see next question. 

Q: What is the difference between grass-fed, grass-finished and grain-finished? 

A: All our beef is grass-fed. Flying B Beef cattle are bred, born, raised and grazed on grass. If an animal is selected for our grain-finished program, it is supplemented with a grain mix for approximately the last 120 days before processing. If an animal is selected for our grass-finished program it remains on a grass-only diet and is NOT supplemented with grain prior to processing. 

Q: Are there nutritional and or flavor differences between grass-finished and grain-finished?

A: Yes, and yes! 

Flavor

Glad you asked. As to flavor Flying B Beef grain-finished beef will finish like you’re eating at your favorite steak house, with just a hint of ranch raised in the background reminding you that this animal never stopped eating grass, it just had daily grain snacks, resulting in whiter fat, increased marbling but still a deep dark red and more lean than you would experience from conventional grain finished beef. Flying B Beef grass-finished beef will appear deep and dark red, with less marbling, and yellow fat with a finish that has a hint of wild gaminess to it, especially in the fat and connective tissue.

Nutrition

Omega-3 vs. Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Grass-finished beef generally has a better ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids compared to grain-finished beef. However, the absolute quantity of omega-3s in beef, even in grass-finished, is still very low compared to other protein sources like fatty fish. 

Vitamins and Antioxidants: Beef from grass-finished animals may be higher in antioxidants like Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and Vitamin A. However this is nuanced, and the amounts are not nutritionally significant compared to overall dietary intake.

Total Fat and Calories: Grass-finished beef tends to be leaner than grain-finished, meaning it is slightly lower in total fat and calories.

Cholesterol: There is not a significant difference in cholesterol content between grass-finished and conventional ground beef when the fat percentages are similar.

Takeaways: Both grass-finished and grain-finished beef are nutritious sources of protein, iron, creatine and other essential minerals, there are minor nutritional differences between the two. We offer both options because we believe in consumer choice, affordability of nutrient dense food, accessibility to local food, and are focused on the ethical treatment of our land and animals, an ethos we can achieve regardless of finish. 

Q: Do your cattle receive supplemental feed of any kind?

A: ALL of our animals regardless of finishing style do receive supplementation when at pasture, in the form of hay, molasses/mineral and mineral/salt blocks. These various forms of supplementation assist us in strategic grazing distribution to ensure pastures on more evenly utilized, resulting in less impact to sensitive areas (like wetlands, creeks, streams etc.) and luring cattle to parts of our pastures that may be farther from water sources or steeper, or contain heavy thatch or non-native species that we may want to further impact. They also provide extra nutrients, minerals and other benefits especially in our long hot summers, when our grasslands are dry and arid between July and September. 

Q: How is the beef packaged?

A: To ensure maximum freshness and quality, each cut is individually vacuum-sealed. This protects the meat from freezer burn and preserves its flavor until you are ready to cook it. Tip: Be gentle with your frozen beef, as tears, pricks and punctures to the plastic wrap could compromise your packaging seal. 

Q: Is your beef frozen?

A: Yes. All of our beef is flash-frozen at the peak of freshness immeditately after being processed. This locks in the flavor and nutrients and allows for safe storage. 

Q: How long can I store the beef in my freezer?

A: For the best quality, we recommend consuming your beef within one year. With the vacuum-sealed packaging, it can remain safe  beyond that time if stored in a constant- temperature freezer. 

Ordering and fulfillment

Q: Do you ship outside of California?

A: Not yet, but we hope to someday. 

Q: What is your minimum order size?

A: Our smallest box is the Urbanite, a great choice for sampling our product or if you have limited freezer space.  

Q: Can I pick up my order locally?

A: Yes. We offer designated local pickup locations and times. You can select this option at checkout. 

Q: Do you deliver? 

A: We do local delivery and will coordinate to meet customers in Oakhurst, Mered, Mariposa and Catheys Valley. 

For Bulk Shares we will deliver to you for free if you live within an hour of Catheys Valley. 

Q: What if I have a question about my order?

A: You can contact Lauren at 949-233-8881, call or text if you have any questions. 

Q: Are you certified organic, or do you have other certifications?

A: At this time in our operation this certification and others do not pencil for us and use of targeted herbicide to “spot spray” specific areas of non-native and invasive species like thistle, is an essential tool in our ability to manage our grasslands and protect native grasses from being outcompeted. For perspective we graze almost 10,000 acres of grassland and herbicide is applied to approximately .02% of those acres.