All About The Meat
What is grass-fed beef?
Grass-fed beef comes from cattle that eat grass and forage for their entire lives, as opposed to grain. Some cattle farms will "finish" their grass-fed cows on grain to increase their body weight quickly.
Aurora View Farms cows eat organic grasses grown here on the farm for their ENTIRE lives.
How is grass-fed different from grain-fed?
Grass-fed beef is typically leaner, has a different flavour profile, and has a better nutritional profile, like having more omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and vitamins A and E, compared to grain-fed beef.
Does grass-fed mean organic?
Not necessarily. While grass-fed cattle eat a natural diet, "organic" refers to how the feed is grown and whether synthetic chemicals or antibiotics are used.
Our beef is Certified Organic, and our cows are raised on organic grasses and grass hay grown right here on our farm. They are ALWAYS free of antibiotics and added hormones!
Does grass-fed beef taste different?
Yes, it has a more pronounced, earthy flavour and is typically leaner than grain-fed beef.
Is your beef Certified Angus? Will the flavour be consistent?
No. Our cattle are a Hereford/Angus cross, so while they have Angus genetics, they are not marketed as Certified Angus Beef.
What makes the biggest difference to flavour and quality isn't the breed name alone, but how the animals are raised. Every animal at Aurora View Farms is certified organic, 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, and raised on the same pastures under the same management. This creates a consistently rich, clean beef flavour from one animal to the next.
What's the difference between Aurora Views Farms beef and grocery store beef?
Transparency
Farm: You know exactly where your beef comes from-our family farm.
Store: Often sourced from multiple feedlots or large-scale operations, with little traceability.
Diet & Quality
Farm: 100% grass-fed and finished on organic pasture and hay.
Store: May be grain-finished or partially grain-fed, even if labelled "grass-fed".
Additives
Farm: Absolutely NO antibiotics, added hormones, or synthetic chemicals.
Store: Many conventional options are raised with growth hormones, and may have been treated with antibiotics.
Taste & Nutrition
Farm: Rich, clean flavour with higher nutritional value.
Store: Often blander due to grain diets and longer storage times.
Freshness
Farm: Frozen at peak freshness, packed with care, and from a single, traceable animal raised here on the farm.
Store: May have been in transit or storage for weeks before hitting shelves. Also, can come from dozens of different cows-sometimes even from different countries-mixed together in one package. This reduces traceability and raises the risk of contamination.
How do I cook grass-fed beef?
Because it is leaner, grass-fed beef cooks faster and benefits from lower cooking temperatures and less time on the grill or stove.
What does "dry-aged" mean?
Dry-aged beef is beef that has been hung or placed on a rack to age in a controlled, refrigerated environment for a time. We dry-age our beef for 14 days. During this time, two things happen:
1. Moisture loss: The beef slowly loses moisture, concentrating the flavour.
2. Enzyme breakdown: Natural enzymes break down muscle fibers, making the meat more tender.
Dry-aged beef is considered the best by many chefs and steak lovers because it delivers unmatched flavour and tenderness. Some describe dry-aged beef as having a slightly nutty, earthy, or buttery flavour-it's a gourmet experience!
Does Aurora View Farms beef come fresh or frozen?
Our beef is dry-aged for 14 days and frozen at peak freshness to retain its flavour, quality, and safety.
Orders
Can I build a custom package?
Absolutely! If you don't find exactly what you're looking for, please send us a message. We offer a wide variety of cuts and products. Plus, since we butcher monthly, if we don't have it in stock now, we can likely get it for you next month.
How do I order a quarter, side, or whole beef?
Ordering bulk beef is easy! Simply place your order through our website or send us an email to reserve your quarter, side (half), or whole beef.
We'll let you know the next available processing and delivery date. Custom orders typically have a six-week wait, so we recommend reserving your beef in advance.
Once your order is reserved, we'll send you a custom cuts form where you can let the abattoir know your preferences, including how you'd like your beef cut and whether you'd like to keep the bones and organ meats.
If you have any questions along the way, we're always happy to help.
Frequently asked question
Use this text to provide answers for your most commonly asked questions.
Do you have a refund policy?
We are confident that you'll love our premium, grass-fed beef. However, if for any reason you are unsatisfied, please contact us within the 30-day return window, and we'll be happy to assist you.
Delivery & Market Pickup
How does shipping work?
We are a small, family-run farm dedicated to delivering the freshest, highest-quality beef straight to your doorstep. Talk about true farm-to-plate goodness!
We personally deliver all over British Columbia on a bi-weekly, monthly, or annual schedule, depending on your location. For a complete list of delivery locations click here.
You can also find us at farmers' markets around Vancouver. Check out our market schedule here to see where we’ll be next!
How much is delivery?
Home delivery charges are as follows:
Orders under $99 = $50 Delivery
Orders of $100-$199 = $25 Delivery
Orders of $200+ = FREE Delivery
Or email us directly to inquire about Farmers Market pickup.
Do you ship to Vancouver Island?
Due to popular demand, we deliver to Vancouver Island twice per year. Find details on delivery schedules here, or email us to inquire further.