FAQs
Please check our most frequently asked questions here first before contacting us. If the answer to your question is not here, please use the contact form here and drop us an email!
Beef FAQs
What kind of cattle do you raise?
We raise 100% Registered Black Angus cattle. Angus cattle have been in our family since 1944, when Dick Taylor (the patriarch of our family) purchased his first show heifer.
Why Angus cattle?
Black Angus cattle are known as the "business breed". There are more Angus cattle registered every year in the United States than all other breeds combined. For the show ring, Angus cattle are extremely competitive and many of the secondary breeds used Angus genetics to improve their herd. On the production side, Angus cattle are resistant to harsh weather, behave well by nature, mature early and have a high carcass yield with elite marbled meat. Their carcass yield and marbling capabilities is evident in our products available on this website!
How is your product different than the steaks and beef in stores and restaurants?
Did you know that businesses can advertise their products and "Angus" without the animals even being an Angus animal? Beef that qualifies for any Angus brand is not determined by pedigree, but rather traits, like hair color. Just having black hair has become the USDA standard by which cattle are considered for all Angus brands and products. Yes, you read that right - they just need to be black! *mind blown*
You can be certain that every single animal on our farm is 100% Black Angus and can be registered with the American Angus Association. When you buy from Accent Angus Farm you will be getting a pure Angus product.
Is your beef grass-fed?
All of our cattle are pasture-raised and grain-finished with the highest quality, non-GMO grain that we hand-mix daily. Did you know that pasture-raised and grass-fed are extremely similar? "Grass-fed" is a less regulated term than people realize. Some labels can claim "grass-fed", but this only means that the animal's diet must consist of more than 50% grass. It's not a guarantee that the animal has been grass-fed their entire lives. The best way to ensure the highest quality product is to purchase from a family farm, like ours, where every aspect of the life of the animal is managed.
How long do you dry age?
All of our beef is dry aged at least 7-14 days. Specific sections, like the loin and rib, are dry aged for 28 days. The 28-day dry aging of these sections yield our most popular cuts: filet, ribeye, NY strip, and sirloin.
What is dry aging?
Check out our blog post here explaining the art of dry aging.
Is Angus beef nutritious?
Calorie for calorie, beef is one of the most nutrient-rich foods to fuel a healthy lifestyle. It is truly a superfood as it delivers, on average, 10 essential nutrients. A serving size of 4oz of raw beef provides 175 calories and protein (51% DV), B12 (41% DV), zinc (39% DV), selenium (38% DV), niacin (25% DV), B6 (24% DV), phosphorous (20% DV), riboflavin (14% DV), iron (14% DV) and choline (13% DV).
DV refers to Daily Value, the amount of nutrient needed for a healthy adult on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Are all of your animals born on the farm?
Every single animal involved in our meat production is born and raised on our farm in central Illinois. We can trace each animal back from the date of conception to its endpoint.
Do you process your beef yourselves?
We do not. In order to sell to consumers like you, we must partner with USDA processors so they can process and pack our beef. The processors we use are local and practice with the highest of standards.
How long can I safely keep thawed beef in the refrigerator?
It is ideal to thaw beef in the refrigerator where it remains at a safe temperature (40°F or below). Most steaks will thaw in one day while larger items such as brisket or prime rib may take an additional day or more. After thawing, beef can be refrigerated safely for 3 to 5 additional days before cooking. During this time, if you decide not to use the beef, you can safely refreeze it without cooking. Avoid thawing on the counter or in other locations. While quick thawing can be achieved under cold running water, it is ideal to slowly thaw beef in the refrigerator. Do not use warm or hot water to accelerate thaw time.
How long can I store frozen beef?
For best quality, plan to cook our beef within 12 months (though it will last longer). Beef will remain safe when stored constantly at 0°F or below; however, quality degrades with lengthy freezer storage. For ideal quality, the freezer should be set at 0°F or below and beef should remain packaged tightly to keep air from getting in. If beef is frozen without being sealed tightly, freezer burn may occur. The product remains safe to eat, but the areas with freezer burn will be dried out and tasteless and should be trimmed away.
Does your farm contribute to global warming?
Short answer: no. While this topic is important to many, you can be rest assured that our raising practices actually help improve the environment. Our grazing processes capitalize on the natural relationship between animals and plants to help build soil health, improve ecosystems, improve soil quality, increase carbon sequestration, and improve water quality.
Freezer Beef/Bulk Orders FAQs
What will I get with my order?
Here is what’s commonly included in an order:
Ground Beef
Steaks (Filet, Ribeye, Strip, Sirloin, Skirt, Round)
Brisket
Roasts (Chuck, Sirloin Tip, Rump)
Stew Meat (cube, kabob, shank)
Misc. Products (liver, tongue, heart, kidney...can discard, if desired)
How much meat will I receive?
This is difficult to provide an exact amount as each animal weighs a different amount.
Your order is calculated and billed by what is called the “hanging weight”. This is approximately 60% of the total animal weight and includes the entire carcass.
Once your beef hangs at the processor and the necessary items are discarded, you will get approximately 60% of meat from the hanging weight
In total, you can expect to receive, on average, the following amounts of meat:
Quarter: 115 - 135 lbs.
Half: 230-250 lbs.
Whole: 480 - 510 lbs.
How much freezer space will I need?
Here are some suggestions (all are approximate):
Quarter: 6 cubic feet
Half: 8 cubic feet
Whole: 16 cubic feet
How long will my freezer beef last?
You will not lose any quality in your farm fresh beef for at least twelve months in your freezer.
Where are my specialty steaks?
For those fancy steaks, know that you will be able to customize which ones you want (filet mignon, NY Strip, T-bone/Porterhouse, etc.). You’re probably familiar with a T-bone steak. Depending on how you cut it, it can have many different names. If you cut the bone out you would no longer have a T-bone, but two distinct cuts - tenderloin (filet) and a strip steak. If it’s an extremely large T-bone, it would be called a Porterhouse steak. Keep in mind that the number of unique steaks that can be cut from one steer is small. If you’re purchasing one animal, you can only have T-bones or filets and strips - not both, unfortunately.
How thick should I get my steaks cut?
One of the perks about bulk orders is that you can completely customize your cuts. Normally, cuts range from 3/4 in., 1 in., 1.25 in., and 1.5 in. It's truly a personal preference, but we love a good, thick-cut steak. Don't be shy!
What about ground beef?
Not to worry, you will receive plenty of ground beef. You can choose between 1 lb., 1.5 lbs., and 2 lb. packages. Because of the volume of ground beef you'll be receiving, we recommend having some fun with options here - patties, snack sticks, etc.
Pick Up/Shipping/Returns FAQs - all shipping has been put on hold until lower shipping costs can be established
If I live nearby, can I pick up my order?
Yes! We offer free local pickup at the farm address in central Illinois, as well as our physical business address located in the western suburbs of Chicago. At checkout, under "Delivery" please select "Pick up". Choose the location that is best for you. If there is only one location option showing at the time of check out, please note your preferred pick up area (e.g., Oakland, St. Louis, etc.) in the "Order special instructions" box on the "Cart" page. Proceed with your purchase and we will coordinate accordingly. We have a variety of items in stock at each location.
Please email us by filling out this form or give us a call at 314-513-8727 to coordinate your pick up.
What are my pick up options?
As of right now, most of our product is located in the Chicagoland area. We can coordinate a pick up at the farm in central Illinois and occasionally in the St. Louis area. If you aren't in a hurry to get your order, we can coordinate a pick up in any of those markets.
Please note your preferred pick up area (e.g., Oakland, St. Louis, etc.) in the "Order special instructions" box on the "Cart" page.
The item I want is not in stock at the location that is best for me. What do I do?
Example: You proceed to check out and the only pick up option is "Chicagoland Area" but you live in central Illinois. Please continue with your order and we will coordinate a pick up or drop off at your preferred location. We have a variety of items in stock at each location and will make sure you receive your order.
How are your products shipped?
*all shipping has been put on hold until lower shipping costs can be established
Our cuts of beef are individually frozen and packaged. We ship our beef using insulated packaging and frozen gel/ice packs through UPS. Items will arrive still frozen, partially thawed, or still chilled.
What if my ice packs are melted?
As long as your beef is still cool to the touch on arrival, it is safe to eat within 7 days or may be refrozen.
When do I need to submit my order?
Shipping order cutoff for the week is on Sunday at 3 PM CST. Orders received after to 3 PM CST on Sundays with shipping requested will automatically be rolled to be shipped the following week. All orders placed Monday through Saturday will be shipped the following week. Arrangements can always be made to pick up your order.
When will my order ship?
*all shipping has been put on hold until lower shipping costs can be established
When shipping is selected at checkout, orders will be shipped only on Mondays. This will ensure that perishable items arrive cool and before the weekend.
Where can you ship?
*all shipping has been put on hold until lower shipping costs can be established
We can ship to all of the lower 48 states, however, if you are outside of our 2-day ground shipping area, your package will go UPS Next Day Air.
How much is shipping?
*all shipping has been put on hold until lower shipping costs can be established
Shipping costs are variable and will be determined at the time of checkout and are set by UPS.
Do you offer rush or overnight shipping?
*all shipping has been put on hold until lower shipping costs can be established
For questions about Rush or Overnight Shipping, please contact us here.