Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Beef Solutions?
Beef Solutions is a single-owner Limited Liability Company, owned by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, INC. Beef Solutions was formed to provide a pathway for Kentucky’s cattle producers to enter the market for locally produced and marketed ground beef, guiding the product from the Kentucky farm to the Kentucky consumer.
What is Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef?
Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef is a local, natural, delicious ground beef product. It is a fresh, 80% lean 20% fat blend product that is minimally processed, with no additives or preservatives.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE LOCAL?
Beef Solutions is proud to purchase Kentucky cows from Kentucky families, while processing, packaging, and selling our Kentucky Cattlemen's Ground Beef products across Kentucky keeping the entire production process in our state.
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I PURCHASE kentucky cattlemen's ground beef PRODUCTs?
Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef is now available at 136 select Kroger stores across Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Illinois and Tennessee, and 4 Jay C Food Stores in Kentucky. You will also find Kentucky Cattlemen's Ground Beef in concession stands at KFC Yum Center in downtown Louisville and at the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association cooking booths at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For available stores and product information, click here.
How do i know when my ground beef is done?
When making burgers, meatloaf, and meatballs with ground beef, use an instant read thermometer to make sure your dishes are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety standards. For meatloaf and meatballs, insert the thermometer in the middle of the thickest part of the product. For burgers, insert the thermometer horizontally from the side of the patty to obtain an accurate temperature reading. Color is not an indicator of doneness in ground beef, using a meat thermometer is recommended.
How long can ground beef be stored at home?
Unopened ground beef in a vacuum-sealed package can typically last in your refrigerator for up to two weeks and can be placed in the freezer without having to repackage. Once a package is opened, use the product within one to 2 days or else place product in the freezer. Ground beef in the freezer is best when used within 3 to 4 months. Always make sure you use or freeze your purchased ground beef before the use by date listed on the back of the package.
Why is vacuum sealed packaging beneficial?
Vacuum-sealed packages are designed to protect product from exposure to oxygen and other elements that increase growth of spoilage bacteria, thus prolonging product shelf life. Easy peel corners on the packaging allow seamless transfer from package to skillet without having to touch the ground beef.
does this product have any antibiotics?
Antibiotics are just one tool used by cattle farmers to ensure the health of the animals in their care. Farmers work with their veterinarian to develop preventative herd health plans including routine vaccinations to promote strong immunity against common cattle diseases. Although not common, a farmer may administer an antibiotic to treat a sick animal if needed. If an animal is treated, they must follow FDA set withdrawal times (the amount of time required for the drug to be fully processed by the animal’s body) to ensure no meat with antibiotic residue above the FDA tolerance level enters our food supply.
does this product have hormones?
Hormones and hormone-like compounds are found in different types of food including beef (1.3 – 1.9 nanograms of estrogen per 3oz. serving of steak), eggs (993 nanograms of estrogen), potatoes, (300 nanograms for ½ cup) and peas (542 nanograms of estrogen for ½ cup). For cattle, their natural hormones stimulate the pituitary gland and help cattle enhance their muscle-building ability while also decreasing the amount of fat deposited in and around muscles.
Some of our farmers may use supplemental hormones to raise beef more efficiently with fewer resources. This management decision is left to the discretion of the farmer and is part of a comprehensive program developed in consultation with animal health professionals and other experts to ensure optimal animal health and well-being. All hormones used in beef production must be approved by the FDA and are metabolized quickly and clear an animal’s system before entering the food supply.
Some of our farmers may use supplemental hormones to raise beef more efficiently with fewer resources. This management decision is left to the discretion of the farmer and is part of a comprehensive program developed in consultation with animal health professionals and other experts to ensure optimal animal health and well-being. All hormones used in beef production must be approved by the FDA and are metabolized quickly and clear an animal’s system before entering the food supply.
I Thought we had kentucky beef in grocery stores?
Other local Kentucky beef products have been available in grocery stores before and Kentucky farmers have always contributed to the beef found in grocery stores in Kentucky and beyond. This product is unique in that it is Kentucky Proud from the farm, to the processing, to the packaging and will open doors for multiple farm families to contribute to a Kentucky branded product.
what cuts are in my ground beef?
Our ground beef label does not specify beef cut because our ground beef includes a variety of cuts. Because we do not sell steaks or roasts, we utilize all cuts like tenderloins and ribeyes in our ground beef blend.
IS this GRASS-FED OR GRAIN-FED BEEF?
Short answer: Both!
All of our farmers are dedicated to taking great care of their land and livestock. We are fortunate in Kentucky to have luscious forages perfect for grazing cattle. While all of our cattle have been grass-fed the majority of their lives, our beef comes from farm families that raise their cattle both grass-finished and grain-finished.
All of our farmers are dedicated to taking great care of their land and livestock. We are fortunate in Kentucky to have luscious forages perfect for grazing cattle. While all of our cattle have been grass-fed the majority of their lives, our beef comes from farm families that raise their cattle both grass-finished and grain-finished.
how much does kentucky cattlemen's ground beef cost?
Our ground beef products are $4.99-$5.99/lb. While we know that our beef may not the cheapest option in the meat case, we hope that you find our delicious, local products to be worth the price. When you buy Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground beef, you can feel confident in purchasing a great tasting product while supporting local Kentucky communities.
I'M A FARMER, HOW CAN I ENROLL MY CATTLE IN THIS PROGRAM?
For information about how to enroll your cattle in our program, please visit the Beef Solutions website.
ARE mrna vaccines used in Cattle?
There are no current mRNA vaccines licensed for use in beef cattle in the United States. Cattle farmers and ranchers do vaccinate cattle to treat and prevent many diseases, but presently none of these vaccines include mRNA technology.
Do you Feed GMO Feed Products to cattle used in Kentucky Cattlemen's Ground Beef?
We are fortunate in Kentucky to have luscious forages perfect for grazing cattle. While all of our cattle have been grass-fed the majority of their lives, our beef comes from farm families that raise their cattle both grass-finished and grain-finished. If a farmer chooses to feed their animal grains they can.
Meat from animals that eat GMO food are equal in nutritional value, safety and quality as animals that eat non-GMO food. Studies also show that the health and safety of animals are the same either way. When animals eat GMO foods, the DNA in the GMO food does not transfer into the DNA of the animal that eats it. This means that animals that eat GMO food do not turn into GMOs. If the DNA did transfer from food into the animal that eats it, an animal would have the DNA of any food it ate, GMO or not. In other words, cows do not become the grass they eat. Similarly, the DNA from GMO food for animals is not in the meat, eggs, or milk from the animal.
Meat from animals that eat GMO food are equal in nutritional value, safety and quality as animals that eat non-GMO food. Studies also show that the health and safety of animals are the same either way. When animals eat GMO foods, the DNA in the GMO food does not transfer into the DNA of the animal that eats it. This means that animals that eat GMO food do not turn into GMOs. If the DNA did transfer from food into the animal that eats it, an animal would have the DNA of any food it ate, GMO or not. In other words, cows do not become the grass they eat. Similarly, the DNA from GMO food for animals is not in the meat, eggs, or milk from the animal.
