From time to time, we purchase steers from other producers, and finish them on our pastures. These may be steers hand raised from calves by youngsters in 4-H or Future Farmers of America kids, or those reared by a respected producer.
But, since we did not produce them, we cannot assert that they have not had an implant (except for the kid's steers, which cannot have them under their rules of competition), or been treated with an antibiotic. If this is a major issue for you, the only way for you to know for certain is to send tissue to a sophisticated lab.
As there are such miniscule residues left by implants, and it is unlikely that a detectable residue of an antibiotic will be found after the withdrawal period, the lab results will probably show no positives. For example, thirty days after the clinical use of the common antibiotics, they are not detectable in even minute quantities in the tissues of the animal. The longest lasting growth implant releases hormones for no longer than a claimed two hundred days. Implants are typically used early in the steer's life, to promote rapid growth. (Deep Creek never has, or now plans to use them). Antibiotics and other medications vary, but those which might be given to a sick animal will probably call for observation of a thirty day period before harvest of the animal.
So! Here's our offer. If the steer you are buying is not one born on the Ranch, and you are concerned that there might be residual levels of estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone greater than that normally found in the tissues of a steer, or the presence of any antibiotic (illegal in meat, by the way), we will have the tissues tested.
You put up the money needed for the lab and shipping, and we hold it for you. If the test says the normal range of hormone levels are exceeded, or antibiotics are present, we pay for the test and refund your money. If you would prefer to deal directly with the lab, let us know where to ship the samples, and send us a check for our shipping costs.
To read more about these issues, try these two sites:
