Absolutely! When you buy a whole or half animal from Willis D Ranch, you're getting restaurant-quality Wagyu beef at a fraction of retail prices. In addition to saving money, your freezer will be full of premium cuts sourced directly from our family ranch on California's Central Coast.

Wagyu cattle have Japanese genetics that create incredible marbling (those beautiful white fat streaks) throughout the meat. This marbling makes the beef incredibly tender, flavorful, and juicy. Our American Wagyu cattle have at least 50% Japanese genetics and are grain-finished to develop that signature marbling. Our Japanese Wagyu have 100% traceable Japanese genetics, and are certified with the American Wagyu Association.

When you buy from Willis D Ranch, you are getting Wagyu beef that typically costs $40-$60+/lb. at high end restaurants. You know the specific ranch where your beef is sourced from, and how the animal was raised emphasizing sustainable, grass-fed, and pasture-raised practices. You can work directly with the butcher to customize your specific cut sheet. Wagyu beef from Willis D Ranch means no additives, and no mystery meat... Just premium Wagyu beef from our family to yours.

Here's the breakdown:

• Half Animal: 200-300 pounds of packaged beef (feeds family of 2-4 for 8-12 months)
• Whole Animal: 400-600 pounds of packaged beef (feeds family of 4-6 for 8-12 months)

Great question! Hanging weight is what the carcass weighs before processing. Packaged weight (what you take home) is about 65-70% of hanging weight after bones, fat, and processing.

The freezer space you’ll need depends on whether you’re getting a whole or half cow, and how the meat is processed. Here are some general measurements:

• Half animal: 8-10 cubic foot freezer
• Whole animal: 16-20 cubic foot freezer

Most families are surprised how quickly they go through it! A half animal provides about 2-3 meals per week for a family of four for 8-12 months. Remember, you're getting everything from premium steaks to ground beef, so there's variety for every meal.

Don't worry - we guide you through everything! Here's the simple steps:

1. Reserve your beef through our website. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions before reserving.
2. Put down a deposit to reserve your animal ($750 for half share, $1,500for whole share)
3. We schedule and inform you of your harvest date when your animal is ready for processing.
4. We will provide you with cutting instructions from your chosen butcher (we have several we work with locally). Half shares may be subject to a butcher connected to the other reserved half of your animal. You can always discuss any questions about cuts with us or with your chosen butcher directly.
5. Pick up your beef 14-21 days after your harvest date (some butchers have shipping options at an additional cost)
   
   
   
   

You'll get a variety of everything – depending on your share and cutting preferences. Here are some common cuts:

• Premium steaks: Ribeye, NY Strip, Filet Mignon
• Family steaks: Chuck Eye, Flat Iron, Sirloin
• Roasts: Chuck roasts, tri-tip, rump roasts (perfect for Sunday dinners!)
• Ground beef: Usually 80/20 and 85/15 (great for burgers, tacos, spaghetti)
• Extras: Short ribs, stew meat, soup bones
  
  

No problem! When filling out your cutting instructions, you can ask for more of what you like. Popular swaps include:

• Extra ground beef instead of roasts
• More steaks instead of stew meat
• Larger roasts instead of smaller cuts
• Different steak thicknesses
  

At Willis D Ranch we are committed to organic farming practices that are sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and compassionate to our animals. We believe that by cultivating a healthier, more natural ecosystem, we can produce high-quality beef products that are both delicious and nutritious.

Absolutely! Many butchers offer premium add-ons like tomahawk steaks, dry-aged beef (21, 28, or 35 days), and specialty cuts for an additional cost. Just let us know what you're interested in, and we can discuss it with your butcher.

Total cost = (Hanging Weight × Price per Pound) + Processing Fees. You will pay us and the butcher separately. Contact us for current pricing - we're always happy to give you an estimate.

You're getting premium Wagyu that wouldcost $40-60+ per pound at restaurants. Even compared to regular grocery storebeef, you'll likely save money when you factor in getting premium steaks for amuch lower price.

Freezer storage at 0°F or below:

Ground beef: 12-18 months

• Most vulnerable to quality loss
• Use first in your rotation

Steaks (ribeye, strip, filet, etc.): 18-24 months

• Hold quality very well when properly sealed
• Can go up to 3 years but best quality in first 2 years

Roasts (chuck, round, brisket): 2-3 years

• Larger cuts maintain quality longer
• Excellent for long-term storage

Specialty cuts (short ribs, stew meat, etc.): 18-24 months

Processed items (if included):

• Sausages: 12-18 months
• Jerky: 1-2 years

Pro tips for cow share storage:

• Use a "first in, first out" rotation system
• Keep an inventory list on your freezer
• Use ground beef and smaller cuts first
• Save roasts and larger steaks for later
• Consider a backup power source for your freezer

Most families finish it well before these timeframes!

Keep it simple! Salt and pepper, high heatto sear, then lower temperature to finish. Cook to medium-rare (130-135°F) toexperience the incredible marbling. Let it rest 5-10 minutes after cooking. Themarbling does the work - don't overthink it!

Our cattle are raised without hormones during finishing and are antibiotic-free.

After harvest, your beef will be ready in14-21 days. We’ll contact you as soon as it's ready for pickup.

We don’t deliver, but some butchers have shipping options. Contact us to see about the shipping options.

Definitely! This is really common and helps with cost and freezer space. Both families just need to coordinate on cutting instructions and pickup arrangements.

Great! Click “Reserve Your Beef” to get started and follow the next steps.

That's totally normal! Feel free to call us just to chat. We love talking about our cattle and helping families understand the process. There's no obligation, and we're happy to help you decide if bulk buying is right for your family.