welcome to the
New west
inspired by heritage
Sheppard Creek Cattle Co. – 100% Natural, Premium, Grass-Fed Beef
At Sheppard Creek Cattle Company, we are committed to providing natural, premium beef that is a healthy choice for people while benefitting the environment – through our intentional, holistic approach that is grounded by our deep-rooted passion for the land. Welcome to the new West: inspired by heritage, while improving the future.
We are committed to biodiversity and are a part of the ecosystem where we live. Our cattle roam the rugged grassland pastures of southern Alberta alongside the wildlife, living off of and contributing to the health of the land, water, and air. When our customers come to us, they get a meaningful product that is grown from the ground up with the big picture in mind – better beef, healthy diverse land, clean water, fresh air, and a sustainable future for us all.
It’s the traditional values of the West, with a hint of the modern world and an exceptional customer experience.
A Cut-and-Dry Process, from our Pasture to your Plate
We take pride in our process. We believe there is no substitute for healthy, delicious, and nutritious food. That’s why our business is based on bringing natural premium beef from our pasture to your plate with as few steps in between as possible while delivering an unbeatable level of quality and sustainability
We pride ourselves on being a local supplier working in a sustainable manner. Our beef is butchered locally at a provincially-inspected small abattoir and dry-aged in a cooler to enhance the flavour and tenderness. We ensure healthy land use, clean handling and preparation, and safe transportation at every step of our process.
And, when you buy beef from Sheppard Creek, we always invite you to learn more about how it’s made, so feel free to let us know of any questions you might have.
The Best Beef for Your Buck
Alberta’s best beef doesn’t require a trip to the grocery store – it’s as easy as filling out the order form below.
While we have premium, grass-fed ground beef available year-round, due to the nature of the business, it might take weeks or even months before your order is ready. You can’t rush quality.
Once your order is ready, we’ll invite you to fill out the cut and wrap sheet for specific details on the types of cuts you want delivered. Your last step is to make sure your grill is up to the task!
Use the order form below. A minimum order of 15 lbs is required.
Approximate total: 115 lb. based on a 175 lb hot hanging 1/4.
Individual beef cuts in package will vary by animal.
Approximate total: 115 lb. based on a 175 lb hot hanging 1/4.
Individual beef cuts in package will vary by animal.
Approximate total: 115 lb. based on a 175 lb hot hanging 1/4.
Individual beef cuts in package will vary by animal.
See a preview of the custom cut and wrap sheet here
Customers will be sent a custom cut and wrap sheet via email following their order form submission.
See a preview of the custom cut and wrap sheet here
Customers will be sent a custom cut and wrap sheet via email following their order form submission.
The grasslands of the Canadian prairies are part of an ecosystem that stretches across much of the interior of North America. Once home to millions of bison that grazed on the plants and churned the soil constantly, the loss of the animals and the rise of modern agriculture have contributed to the overall health of this ecosystem declining. We believe it is critical to protect our grasslands to sustain the biodiversity that’s left.
Now, we have put our words into action by making the shift in how we manage our food and water supplies in order to protect what we can. As Albertans, we’re no strangers to rolling up our sleeves and putting in the work – so that’s exactly what we’re doing at Sheppard Creek Cattle Co. Using traditional grazing methods, responsible practices, and a modern understanding of the water cycle, interdependence, and plant-based carbon storage, we are on a mission to improve what we can in our world – one cow and one customer at a time!
It’s important that our product and its processes meet guidelines for sustainability, transparency, and quality of care for our animals. That’s why we’re a VBP+ Verified Beef Certified operation– so you can take peace of mind to your plate
Our communities give us so much and enrich our lives in countless ways.
That’s why we’re proud to give back to them through our dedicated “From The Heart” programs, providing support to local charities and non-profits.
Whether you’re an organization looking for a partnership or simply want to learn more about how we donate and participate, you can reach out to Buffy Ottacher at buffy@sheppardcreekcattle.ca
Cattle, like their bison relatives that roamed the plains for thousands of years, evolved to eat grasses and other similar small plants in their diet. So, at Sheppard Creek Cattle Co., we strive in all our operations to recreate that ecosystem and maintain the proper, natural health of both the landscape and the animals on it.
Pasture-raised, grass-fed beef has numerous health benefits, in addition to keeping our grasslands strong. This beef provides protein, vitamins and minerals, and fats, as well as fatty acids like Omega-3, Omega-6, and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) that can help prevent obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. It is especially high in Vitamins A and E, and beta carotene. And the extra parts, like soup bones and offal, are rich in beneficial fats and nutrients.
Beyond all of that, a pasture environment is better for the cow itself – balanced bacterial exposure reduces the risk of diseases like E. coli. Grass-fed beef makes for happier humans, healthier cows, and a stronger environment!
Sometimes called the hot, rail, or carcass weight, this is the weight provided by the butcher after the carcass is initially processed and hung, and the dry aging process begins. It is the most accurate way to price bulk beef, so we base our pricing on this.
The yield – after moisture, fat, and bones are removed or cut – is approximately 60% of the wet hanging weight. A 350-lbs wet hanging weight will yield about 230 lbs of beef, depending on the cuts chosen (as de-boning will reduce the total weight, but not the total amount of meat).
Our natural premium beef is aged for an average of 21 days – you can request shorter or longer, though we cannot guarantee it, and it may come with an extra cost.
General guidelines are:
Remember, the types of cuts, as well as the presence of bones, organs, etc. can all have a direct effect on the final size of your order.
Specifics will always vary, but a good summary can be seen on a good summary can be seen on this diagram. If you have specific questions about an order, please feel free to reach out and ask us directly.
You will get the appropriately selected animal, abattoir service, aging time, your selected cuts and wrapping (see here for a good summary of what you’ll get), and freezing and storage until delivery. We can deliver to your home, or another central meeting place that is convenient for you. GST is included in all prices.
Properly packaged, our natural premium beef will last in excess of a year in a freezer with no issues. For environmental and recycling reasons, we use brown wrap packaging instead of shrink wrap. As a result, it’s rare, but possible, that protruding bones may puncture the paper. Keep an eye out for these before packing your cuts away.
No, we do not use chemicals or pesticides. We prioritize a natural and naturally healthy ecosystem in our pastures.
We never use growth hormones or steroids in any of our cattle. Animal welfare is always our primary concern, where an animal’s health is jeopardized, antibiotic treatment is performed, and the animal is then removed from the grass-fed beef program. Once withdrawal times have elapsed and the animal regains perfect health it may be admitted back into the program in certain circumstances.
Reach out to Buffy via email at buffy@sheppardcreekcattle.ca or by phone at 403-200-3663, or you can contact us at the bottom of this website. You can also send direct mail to:
Sheppard Creek Cattle Co.
Box 1209
Nanton, AB T0L 1R0
Submit an order form found above. Once the beef is ready (it may take weeks, or even months, due to the nature of our pasture process), we’ll send you a cut and wrap form to get the specific details on the cuts you want delivered.
Deposits are due upon ordering. The minimum is $200 for a quarter of beef, $400 for a half, and $800 for a whole. For ease of operations, we use Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payable to buffy@sheppardcreekcattle.ca.
Before final delivery, we will send you a final invoice that must be paid in full. Once that is complete, we will work with you for a date, time, and location of delivery.
Yes, we do! Premium, grass-fed ground beef is available year-round for $8.50 per pound. A minimum order of 15 lbs is required. The sale of other individual beef cuts is based on availability. Please inquire below to check availability.
Seen ’round the Ranch
A few of our favourite images from our pasture. Beautiful images captured by Marnie Burkhart, superb stills form Rick L’Heureux at RLXimages, and some of our favourite paintings by good friend and local artist, Paul Van Ginkel. Check out Paul’s art.
