Grass-Fed Beef Run Deposit

Dressed Carcass Weight Explained

Dressed Weight vs. Take-Home Meat

Dressed weight (or carcass weight) refers to the animal’s weight after being partially butchered, with internal organs, head, and less desirable parts removed. This weight still includes bones and cartilage. The amount of take-home meat you’ll receive will be less, as it excludes these non-edible parts and depends on your chosen cuts.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

What’s Included: Dressed weight includes all the meat that remains after the processing stage. This includes cuts that you’ll receive, such as steaks and roasts.

Importance of Dressed Weight: This weight provides a fair and consistent basis for pricing.

Weight Loss During Processing: It’s important to note that there may be some weight loss during processing due to trimming and dry aging, which helps enhance the flavour and tenderness of the meat.

Final Product Weight: When you receive your meat, the “boxed weight” (the final weight of the cuts you get) will typically be about 30% less than the dressed weight, as further trimming occur.

Menzels Butchers uses a select number of ingredients in their sausages, schnitzels, and seasoned roasts. Below is the ingredients list:

**Sausages**

Meal - Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Salt, Mineral Salt (451), Preservative (223 Sulphites), Colour (160c), Herb & Spice Extracts.

**Rolled Roasts with Seasoning**

Coating/Stuffing Mix - Wheat Flour, Wheat Bran, Salt, Yeast, Sugar, Canola Oil, Herbs & Spices, Dehydrated Vegetables, Rice Flour; Colour (102).

**Schnitzels**

Batter - Maize Flour, Wheat Starch, Salt, Thickener (412). Bread Crumbs.

Do you need to be home for the delivery?

Yes, to keep costs down and pass the savings on to you, we use our accredited cool room to deliver your meat. This way, we avoid the extra cost of ice packs, styrofoam boxes, etc. We’re flexible with delivery times and will contact you within 24 hours of your order to arrange a suitable time for delivery.

How will my meat arrive? Do I have to pack it myself? Is it freezer ready?

Your fresh (not frozen) meat will arrive in Menzel’s sustainable cardboard boxes. These boxes are sourced locally and may have random logos on the outside, as they are made from unused, overproduced materials. Inside, you'll find a large plastic liner containing smaller bags of individual cuts.

You can then select the portions you want and freeze them at your convenience. Roasts are pre-packed as pictured, and everything—except the silverside—is already cut for you. The silverside comes brined and can be left whole or cut to suit your needs.

Pick Up

Your pick-up address will be provided in your final invoice, along with self-pick-up options for flexibility. This allows you to time your on-farm pick-up to suit your schedule.

Any other questions just ask us!

We're excited to expand our selection and work with our skilled butchers to offer you even more premium cuts and offerings! If you're interested in specialty options like unique cuts, fats, or offal, we'd love to hear from you.

We’re now offering a delicious range of extras, including offal, marrow bones sliced lengthwise, meaty bones for rich soups, and a fantastic assortment of dog bones—perfect for your four-legged friends!

While we don’t sell individual cuts, as farmers without a storefront, the best way to experience our premium beef, offal, bones, and fats is through our 1/4, 1/2, or full carcass options. This ensures nothing goes to waste while giving you the best variety and value. Let us know how we can help you enjoy top-quality Garryowen beef!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 How much does a carcase cost?

Our beef is priced per kilogram based on dressed carcase weight.

Current pricing:

• 1/4 Carcase: $14.49/kg

• 1/2 Carcase: $13.49/kg

• Full Carcase: $12.49/kg

Larger carcases offer better value per kg and greater flexibility with cut options. Pricing reflects current market conditions and processing costs and may change for future advertised beef runs.

🔹 Why is pricing based on dressed carcase weight?

Dressed carcase weight is the industry-standard, fairest way to price beef.
It refers to the weight after the hide, head and organs are removed and still includes bone.

Your final take-home (“boxed”) meat is typically around 30% less, due to trimming and dry aging, which improves flavour and tenderness.

🔹 Is a 1/4 carcase just a forequarter or hindquarter?

No — a 1/4 carcase is one quarter of the entire animal, not just the front or back.

This means you receive a balanced mix of all cuts, including:

• Premium steaks

• Roasts

• Mince

• Sausages

You won’t miss out on the good cuts — everything is shared evenly.

🔹 Can I customise the cuts?

• 1/4 Carcase: Set cuts only (no customisation)

• 1/2 & Full Carcase: Fully customisable

After ordering a 1/2 or full carcase, you’ll receive a link to complete your preferences online via our cut sheet.

🔹 How much freezer space do I need?

Here’s a realistic guide:

• 1/4 Carcase:
  Small chest freezer or approx. 2–3 fridge freezer drawers

• 1/2 Carcase:
  Medium chest freezer (200–300L)

• Full Carcase:
  Large chest freezer (400L+)

💡 Meat arrives fresh (not frozen) so you can portion and stack efficiently before freezing.

🔹 Do I need to be home for delivery?

Yes. To keep costs down and avoid polystyrene boxes and ice packs, we deliver using our accredited cool room.

We’ll contact you within 24 hours of your order to arrange a suitable delivery time.

🔹 How will my meat arrive? Is it freezer ready?

Your beef arrives fresh (not frozen) in sustainable cardboard cartons from Menzels Butchers.

Inside the box:

• A large plastic liner

• Smaller bags of individual cuts

Roasts are pre-packed. Everything is cut and ready for you to portion and freeze at home.

🔹 Are bones included?

Yes — dog or soup bones are available free on request.
You’ll be able to select your preference when ordering.

🔹 What ingredients are used in sausages, schnitzels and seasoned roasts?

All value-added items are prepared by Menzels Butchers using a select number of ingredients.

Full ingredient and allergen information is listed in the dropdowns for transparency.

🔹 Do you sell individual cuts?

No. As farmers without a storefront, we sell beef by the 1/4, 1/2 or full carcase only.

This ensures:

• Nothing goes to waste

• Better value for customers

• A full variety of cuts in every order

We’re happy to include offal, bones or specialty items where available please contact us first.

🔹 Why buy direct from your farm?

Buying direct means:

• No middleman

• Local processing

• Lower food miles

• Full transparency from paddock to plate

You’re supporting a South Australian 5th generation family farm while enjoying premium grass-fed beef.

🔹 What if I’m not sure which size to choose?

Many customers start with a 1/4 carcase, then upgrade once they see how manageable the freezer space is and how much flexibility comes with a 1/2 carcase.

If you’re unsure, feel free to contact us — we’re always happy to help.

Our cattle are 100% grass-fed and finished, grazing pasture rather than being grain-finished in feedlots. Grass-fed beef can provide a favourable nutritional profile, including beneficial omega-3 fats, while still being a naturally rich source of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12.

Keeping cattle grazing on-farm also supports the regenerative farming practices we use to care for our soils and pastures. Buying beef directly from a local South Australian farm keeps the supply chain short, reduces food miles and supports a more sustainable paddock-to-plate food system.