Christensen Ranch
FAQs
The majority of our herd is Red Angus. They're a calm, maternal breed which means they make excellent mothers who produce fast-growing calves. Red Angus also produce beef that is among the highest in the industry for marbling, tenderness, quality grade, and flavor.
Our calves are raised on native pasture grasses, roaming the expansive plains of Northeastern Colorado until they are nearly a year old. Once they've grown naturally, we start them on a grower ration. Approximately 180 days prior to harvest, we put them on a finishing ration. Our finishing ration does have corn, but we use earlage which is different from the corn product used by commercial feedlots. Earlage contains more roughage, which is what beef cattle need. Instead of feeding them the kernels of corn, we grind the whole ear of corn for their finishing ration. It takes us weeks longer to finish our cattle using this method, but we don't stress their bodies or burn up their organs trying to push them to grow too quickly. We use a nutritionist to make sure our cattle are receiving the proper nutrient balance at all stages of their life. We want them to grow on nature's schedule, and we want the finished product to have that classic, beefy flavor.
We grow all of the crops fed to our cattle right here on our ranch. These include corn, alfalfa, oats, Sorghum Sudan, and irrigated grass. Our crops, along with natural pasture grasses, ensure complete nutrition for our cattle.
Our cattle are raised on pasture for nearly a year so they can mature on nature's schedule. We then finish them on a corn-based diet right here on the ranch for the classic, beefy flavor you know and love. We work with our nutritionist to develop custom rations for each stage of their growth during the finishing phase.
The classic, sweet, beefy flavor we love comes from the earlage corn in the finishing ration we feed to our calves.
No, we do not give our naturally raised cattle added growth hormones. While all animal-based foods contain naturally-occurring hormones, we don’t believe in altering our herd with growth-promoting hormones. Even though supplemental growth hormones in cattle have been shown to pose no risk to human health, we prefer to let nature run its course when it comes to delivering superior Colorado beef.
Antibiotic stewardship is something we take very seriously. We have strict herd health practices in place to ensure we use antibiotics on a limited, as-necessary basis. While we do not use antibiotics, or other medications, unnecessarily, we’ll do everything we can to minimize pain and suffering for our cattle, including administering antibiotics. If one of the calves gets sick, we do pull it into our hospital and treat it therapeutically, just like we do for our kids or ourselves. If an animal is treated, it is removed from our natural program and marketed differently. We know how each animal is treated as we ID each one with individual ear tag numbers and keep detailed records for each animal.
At Christensen Ranch, we let the animal dictate the fat content of our ground beef. That means we don’t add any additional fat when processing our ground beef. We rely 100% on each cow's natural fat content to flavor our pasture-raised, corn-finished single-source ground beef. On average, each pound is between 85-90% lean. We know you’ll taste the difference!
The process of dry aging is a 3 step process. First, the water is evaporated during the dehydration phase, resulting in a robust, rich, beefy flavor. Second, the natural enzymes found in beef break down the collagen tissue, essentially tenderizing the beef. The final phase is the production of bacterial fungus, similar to that found on aged cheeses. This is a natural state that occurs on the external surface of the meat, with the natural enzymes working with the external fungus to give the beef maximum tenderness and richness and depth of flavor. Before packaging, the fungal growth is completely trimmed from the meat.
This all comes down to your desired end result. Do you want a thick, juicy steak that doesn't require a lot of fuss to prepare it? Choose Rib Eye, Tenderloin, Chuck Delmonico, or NY Strip, all with plentiful marbling which equates to flavor! If you're looking for versatile cuts that you can use in a variety of recipes, both for 30 minute meals or slow-cooked meals, choose leaner cuts that you can marinade or use with dry rubs, then braise to lock in the flavor (either on the grill or in a skillet), and cook low and slow. These steaks include Flatiron, Skirt, Tri Tip, Sirloin, Denver, Ranch, Western Griller, Mock Tender, and Petite Tender Medallions,.
All the beef in our Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares is processed by our USDA-inspected butchers. Our Beef Sticks, Beef Summer Sausage, and Beef Jerky are also processed by our USDA-inspected butchers.
Our Custom Beef Shares orders are fulfilled by one of three butcher partners, all located near Eastern Colorado. Our standard butcher, Stagecoach Meat Company, is an inspected, non-USDA butcher and Mike’s Meat Market and 307 Meat Company are USDA-inspected butchers.
All our boxed beef cuts are vacuum sealed immediately after butchering, and are stored frozen until and during the shipping process, ensuring you receive the best quality product possible when you order with us. Because no air is inside the vacuum sealed packaging, your beef can be stored for up to 1 year.
Customers who order our Custom Beef Shares that is processed with Mike’s Meat Market or the 307 Meat Company will receive their vacuum sealed and labeled cuts which are frozen immediately after they’re butchered. If your Custom Bulk Beef order is processed by Stagecoach Meats, your cuts will be wrapped in plastic and butcher paper.
To be honest, we’ve found packages of steaks tucked away in our personal freezer for longer than a year, and they still cook up as delicious as ever. Trust that yours will too!
The most important factor to keep in mind when thawing beef is to keep it out of the temperature "danger zone", where bacteria grow and multiply quickly, between 40 °F and 140 °F, The best way to ensure you follow safe food handling practices is to thaw beef in the refrigerator. This method can take 1 to several days, depending on the thickness of the meat.
Alternatively, you can submerge your packaged beef in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. Smaller packages will thaw within an hour using this method, while larger cuts can take 2 to 3 hours.
Lastly, you can thaw beef in the microwave, but need to plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some of the beef will become warm and begin cooking (enter into the temperature danger zone) during the microwave thawing process. Any meat thawed in the microwave should be cooked thoroughly before refreezing.
While we aren’t able to offer samples of our delicious, pasture-raised, corn-finished, and dry-aged beef, we’ve added some 5lb Sampler Boxes that are the perfect size to try our beef for the first time.
We have a collection of nine 5lb Sampler Boxes, and most of them include at least one premium steak and our single source ground beef, along with other customer favorite cuts including skirt steak, short ribs, cubed steak, and more. We think you’ll agree that our beef delivers not only a rich, classic, beefy flavor, but also a true value.
Individual vacuum-sealed and labeled packages of your favorite Christensen Ranch beef including brisket, rib eye steaks, tri tip steak, sirloin steak, dry aged patties and our single source ground beef are available at All About the Smoke BBQ, 617 Main Street in Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
Buying custom bulk beef shares allows you to purchase up to a year’s worth of beef at one low price per pound. You pay the same price per pound for Ground Beef as you pay for Rib Eye steaks and Prime Rib roast.
No matter how you order your locally raised custom bulk beef shares, you’ll receive the maximum number of cuts for the size of beef you select. The quantity of each cut may vary due to the weight of the animal, the steak thickness you select, and the size of roast you select.
You get to customize your order, from start to finish:
- Steak thickness
- Roast size
- Pounds of ground beef per package
- Your choice of steaks
- Your choice of roasts
- Your choice of ribs
- Your choice of stew meat, fajita meat, patties, cube steak, and other ready-made cuts
- Your choice of specialty cuts like brisket, short ribs, and soup bones
- Your choice of organ cuts
We have four standard harvests per year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Additional harvests are offered when our butchers have availability. Buying beef in bulk is a great option to fill your freezer for up to a year at one low price per pound!
We offer two types of bulk beef. If you’re local (or able to travel to pick up your beef) and want to customize your bulk beef, our Custom Bulk Beef Shares option is the way to go. Christensen Ranch is located in Weldona, Colorado and we work with three processors, all located near Eastern Colorado to process our customer’s orders. Your order will be available for pick up at their location, and we’ll let you know which butcher will be processing your order when we send your final invoice to you.
- Stagecoach Meat Company in Wiggins, Colorado
- Mike’s Meat Market in Sterling, Colorado
- 307 Meat Company in Laramie, Wyoming
If you’re out of state or just want to fill your freezer quickly, our Standard Beef Shares ship every Monday and Tuesday and deliver right to your door! We offer 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 Beef Shares.
We have four standard harvests of custom bulk beef shares per year: Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall. Typically, each harvest sells out months in advance as repeat customers typically order a year or more in advance.
We recommend reserving yours early so you don’t miss out.
When you purchase custom bulk beef shares, you pay a small deposit. The total cost of your custom quarter, half, or whole bulk beef share depends on the size of your animal. The prices below are estimates based on average-sized beef. Your cost may vary based on the weight of your animal. Due to market fluctuations and processing fees, our prices are subject to change without notice.
Average Beef Costs
Quarter Beef: $700
Half Beef: $1,400
Whole Beef: $2,800
When you purchase custom bulk beef shares, you will have two costs: the beef and the processing. Payment for your beef is due to Christensen Ranch and we require a partial deposit to secure your beef at the time of order. Your final payment for your beef is determined by the weight of your animal and will be determined the day your beef is taken to the butcher.
Beef Payment Schedule
Deposit: Your deposit is due the day you reserve your custom quarter, half, or whole bulk beef share.
Remaining Balance: Once we deliver your animal to the butcher, we’ll email your final invoice. Your invoice will include the total amount due for your beef, an estimated pick-up date, and your estimated processing fee (you’ll pay this fee directly to the butcher).
Processing fees vary based on the size of your custom bulk beef share, the cuts you choose, and the butcher.
Average Processing Fees
Quarter Beef: $200 - $260
Half Beef: $390 - $525
Whole Beef: $780 - $1,050
When an 1,200lb animal is taken in for processing, we can expect an average yield of 60%, although that can range from 57% – 61%, and a 720lb hanging carcass weight (after the head, hide, and leg bones have been removed). The percentage of cuts yielded from a whole beef averages 48% of hanging carcass; the cut yield can range from 45-50%. For a 1200lb animal with a hanging carcass weight of 720lbs, you will receive an average of 345lbs of beef. Our steers average 1,200lbs but the weight range is 1,000-1,400lbs depending on age, genetics, and time of year when we take them in for processing.
The butcher for each harvest will be noted on our website and we include it in our Facebook and Instagram posts, as well as in the emails we send about each harvest (subscribe to our emails on the footer of every page of our website). We also include the butcher used for your harvest in the order confirmation email and it will appear on your final invoice.
The butcher for each harvest will be noted on our website and you'll pick up your custom bulk beef share order directly from the butcher noted for your particular harvest. It will be one of these three processors:
We are currently unable to ship custom bulk beef shares orders. If you'd like to have bulk beef shipped to your door, you can order one of our pre-packaged Standard Beef Shares.
Our Standard Beef Shares ship every Monday and Tuesday directly from our ranch and deliver right to your door. Available in 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 beef shares, your order may arrive in more than one box.
This chart will help you determine the freezer space needed for your custom bulk beef shares order.
Custom Bulk Beef Shares | Pounds | Freezer Space Needed |
Quarter Beef Share | 80 - 111 | 10 cu. feet |
Half Beef Share | 160-220 | 20 cu. feet |
Whole Beef Share | 320-440 | 40 cu. feet |
We know circumstances can change and we’re happy to offer refunds for the initial deposits for custom quarter, half, or whole beef share order.
Because Custom bulk Beef Shares orders are cut to your exact specifications, we are unable to offer cancellations or refunds 0-2 months prior to harvest or after your beef has been cut.
6 Months Prior to Harvest: 75% of your deposit minus $30 Restocking Fee
3 Months Prior to Harvest: 50% of your deposit minus $30 Restocking Fee
2 Months Prior to Harvest: 25% of your deposit minus $30 Restocking Fee
0-2 Months Prior to Harvest / After Harvest: We are unable to accept cancellations or offer refunds at this stage
Absolutely! However, the cuts, steak thickness, number of roasts, patties, and ground beef you choose cannot differ between order parties for a single quarter, half, or whole custom bulk beef share order.
Custom bulk beef shares packages cannot be separated for multiple parties by the processor. You'll have to divvy it up with your family or friends after picking up your order.
The custom bulk beef share deposit, remaining balance due, and the processing fee paid to the butcher cannot be split between two different parties, and your custom bulk beef shares order will need to be picked up on the date arranged with the processor.
Yes, you can choose to keep the organs from your Custom Bulk Beef Share order. If you are ordering a quarter or half share, you will split the organs with the other families sharing your animal.
Due to USDA regulations, our USDA-inspected butchers cannot mix organ meat into ground beef.
Custom Bulk Beef Shares is a great option if you're local to the area and are able to pick up your order from the processor. When choosing the Custom Bulk Beef Shares option, you get to customize your order by choosing your steak thickness, roast size, the exact cuts you want including specialty cuts such as prime rib, pre-made patties, and organ cuts. We have four standard harvests per year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. If you want to customize your Custom Bulk Beef Shares order, we recommend reserving yours early so you don’t miss out.
While our Standard Beef Shares aren't customizable, they include a great assortment of cuts and ship every Monday and Tuesday and deliver right to your door! We offer 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 Beef Shares and each cut is vacuum sealed and individually packaged for easy storage.
We're not able to split billing between two parties during the order process, and the entire order will be shipped to the delivery address provided during checkout. However, you can certainly share your order with family or friends once it's delivered to your door.
Our Standard Beef Shares ship every Monday and Tuesday directly from our ranch and deliver right to your door. Available in 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 standard beef shares, your order may arrive in more than one box.
This chart will help you determine the freezer space needed for your standard beef shares order.
Standard Beef Shares | Pounds | Freezer Space Needed |
1/8th Standard Share | 44 | 5 cu. feet |
1/4th Standard Share | 88 | 10 cu. feet |
1/2 Standard Share | 176 | 40 cu. feet |
Our 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 Standard Beef Shares allow you to take advantage of our bulk beef pricing to fill your freezer with steaks, roasts, ground beef, and more. They include all the cuts you'd receive in a typical side of beef and the quantity of each cut varies for each share size. Standard Beef Shares don't allow for choosing your steak thickness, or quantity per package, roast size, or the exact cuts you want. All cuts are pre-cut, individually vacuum-sealed, and labeled for easy storage.
Standard Beef Shares are a great option for our customers who want bulk beef pricing and cuts delivered directly to your door!
If your custom beef shares order is processed by Mike's Meat Company and 307 Meat Company, your cuts will be vacuum sealed to keep them fresh for a minimum of one year, and labeled so you can find your cuts easily.
If your custom beef shares order is processed by Stagecoach Meat Company, your cuts will be wrapped in plastic and butcher paper to keep them fresh for a minimum of one year, and the cut name will be stamped on each package for quick access.
All cuts included in our Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares, as well as our Beef Summer Sausage, Beef Jerky, and Beef Sticks are vacuum sealed and individually labeled, ensuring you receive the highest quality product possible.
When Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares are shipped, we package your beef securely in an insulated container with enough dry ice and gel packs to keep the beef frozen for the two-day transit. We recommend opening your order as soon as it arrives and immediately refrigerating or freezing it.
Our Beef Summer Sausage, Beef Jerky, and Beef Sticks are vacuum sealed and individually labeled, ensuring you receive the highest quality product possible. These products ship separately via UPS Ground.
Our Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares ship frozen with dry ice or gel packs in an insulated container. Your Christensen Ranch Beef must be refrigerated or stored in the freezer upon delivery.
All orders must be placed by midnight Monday to ship in the current week. We ship right from the ranch every Monday and Tuesday.
We’ll send you a Shipment Notification email with your UPS tracking number as soon as your order ships.
We ship our Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares frozen with dry ice or gel packs in an insulated container to all 48 lower states on Monday and Tuesday of each week. Please contact us for shipments to Alaska and Hawaii. Your Christensen Ranch Beef must be refrigerated or stored in the freezer upon delivery.
We offer flat rate shipping for all orders of Christensen Ranch beef boxes, standard beef shares, and dry goods (specialty meats, seasonings, and gifts & goods).
We’ve partnered with UPS to offer flat rate shipping, based on your shipping zone, for our Beef Boxes and Beef Shares. UPS 2nd Day Air shipping option is used for all lower 48 states, except Colorado. Colorado orders are sent via UPS Ground. You can see our flat rate shipping costs by visiting our website. Wherever your order is shipping to, you can be confident that it will arrive at your doorstep within 2 days.
We are unable to offer international overseas shipping at this time.
All cuts included in our Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares, as well as our Beef Summer Sausage, Beef Jerky, and Beef Sticks are vacuum sealed and individually labeled, ensuring you receive the highest quality product possible.
When Beef Boxes and Beef Shares are shipped, we package your beef securely in an insulated container with enough dry ice and gel packs to keep the beef frozen for the two-day transit. We recommend opening your order as soon as it arrives and immediately refrigerating or freezing it.
We ship our Beef Boxes and Standard Beef Shares frozen with enough dry ice or gel packs in an insulated container to keep it frozen during shipping. Your Christensen Ranch Beef must be refrigerated or stored in the freezer upon delivery.
Currently, we don't have the ability for customers to create their own orders. However, this is a feature we are considering for the future.
We're constantly updating our boxed beef selections, taking into account our customers preferences. Send us an email to NaturalBeef@ChristensenRanch.com and let us know what you'd like to see in a Boxed Beef collection and sign up to receive our emails so you'll always be the first to know when we offer a new product.
Currently, we don't have the ability for customers to customize a boxed beef order. It is a feature we are considering for the future. We are consistently evaluating customer orders and online shopping habits, and take this information into account when creating our boxed beef collections. Be the first to know when we roll out a new boxed beef collection by signing up to receive our emails (use the form in the footer of our website to sign up), or email us at NaturalBeef@ChristensenRanch.com and let us know what you'd like to see in a future collection.
The best way to customize an order to get the exact cuts you want is to order a Custom Bulk Beef Share. You can choose either quarter, half, or whole beef and can choose your butcher and harvest month. Go to Shop > Custom Bulk Beef Shares and scroll down to choose the size share you want. Follow the prompts to complete the butcher's cut sheet, ensuring you get exactly what you want. Please Note: Custom Bulk Beef Shares must be picked up from the local butcher; we are unable to ship Custom Bulk Beef Shares at this time.
We do require customers create an account when placing an order. We'll gather and store all your order information, including your name, shipping and billing addresses, and your recent order history. To access this information, click HERE or click Log in to Your Account at the top of each page.
Within your account, you can store and edit order payment methods as well and check the status of your Stock Notifications to see when your favorite selections are back in stock!
Resetting your account password is easy! Just click HERE then enter your email address and click the Get New Password button.
An email from Christensen Ranch with the Subject Line: [Christensen Ranch] Password Reset will be sent to you. Follow the prompts in the email to reset your password to successfully sign into your Christensen Ranch account.
Please Note: Our eCommerce platform, WooCommerce, requires strong passwords to keep your information safe and secure. Passwords must include 12 characters including one uppercase letter, one special character, and one number.
When you've created an account with Christensen Ranch, your order history will be visible to you after logging into your account.
Orders display chronologically, with the most recent order first, and include order number, date, order status, and total. You can click on the VIEW button to view any recent order to see which products were included, as well as shipping charges paid for the order.
After logging into your account, select Payment methods at the left side of the screen. The card currently on file will display, and you can choose to delete it, or add a new payment method. Be sure to click the Add Payment Method button when done to save the updated credit card information.
After logging into your account, select Addresses from the left side of the screen.
This screen displays both your Billing and Shipping addresses. You can edit one, or both, by clicking on the word Edit to the right of each address. Be sure to click the SAVE ADDRESS button below your email address field to save your changes.
