Frequently Asked Questions
Find below answers regarding shipping, custom orders and other general questions.
ABOUT SHIPPING
What does shipping cost?
- FREE shipping on orders $150 + within our ground network.
- $25 flat rate for orders within our ground network.
- Outside of Ground Nework - $50 flat rate shipped via 2nd Day Air (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
**Ground Network: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia**
What states do you ship to?
- We ship to all 48 States in the contiguous United States
- We offer FREE shipping on orders $150 + within our ground network.
- $25 flat rate for orders within our ground network.
- Outside of Ground Nework - $50 flat rate shipped via 2nd Day Air (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
- We do not ship to PO Box addresses.
**Ground Network: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia**
How does shipping work?
- Shipping is done on Monday and Tuesday.
- Same week delivery order cut-off time is Tuesday at 11 am EST.
- Orders placed after 11 am EST on Tuesday will be shipped the following Monday.
- We do this because we are shipping frozen beef and want to ensure there are at least 3 business days for your order to arrive.
- We ship via UPS.
- Upon shipping you will receive a UPS tracking number via email to track your order.
- We do not ship to PO Box addresses.
How is my meat safely shipped?
- All beef is vacuum sealed, frozen, and shipped in an insulated box with plenty of dry ice for a 2-3 day transit time.
**If your cooler still contains dry ice on arrival, wear gloves to remove the dry ice from the cooler and place it outdoors.
When can I expect my order?
- Shipping time is 1-3 business days.
- All orders are shipped via a 1-2 day transit time. However, the actual transit time depends on UPS.
Do I need to be home to accept delivery?
You do not need to be home for delivery, just make sure you place the meat in the freezer the same day it arrives. Signature is not required.
Will my order arrive completely frozen?
That is our goal. We ship all beef in insulated boxes with plenty of dry ice for a 2-3 day transit. However, it is possible that a portion of your order may not arrive completely frozen, especially when the weather is very warm. We suggest consuming any beef within seven (7) days or refreezing the items upon arrival. For additional information on freezing and refreezing see USDA guidelines below.
What if my order is thawed?
In the event of a shipping failure, if any of your order is warm to the touch upon arrival, please immediately take a photo of the item with the label and your order number and send it to contact@hynsonspringsmranch.com then discard that portion of the order. We will work with you to find a resolution to correct the issue and ensure you are satisfied.
In the unlikely event that the entire order thaws and is warm to the touch upon arrival, please immediately take a photo of all items with the labels and your order number/receipt and send these to contact@hynsonspringsmranch.com then discard the order. We will make the necessary changes on our end and resend the entire order to you at no charge.
I’m local, can I pick up my order?
Yes! Pick up orders are available at the ranch. Select the "store pickup" option on the checkout page. Please make sure to place your order online and email us at contact@hynsonspringsmranch.com so that we can schedule a pick up time.
Can products be returned?
Once your order is shipped, we are not able to accept returns. When dealing with perishable products, ensuring that the cold chain was never broken is required. If you have a complaint, please reach out to us at contact@hynsonspringsmranch.com.
How should I dispose of the dry ice in my box?
Wear gloves to remove from the cooler and place outdoors. The dry ice will sublimate (transition from solid CO₂ directly into CO₂ gas) and disappear.
Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide. As the -109°F substance absorbs heat, it turns directly into a gas, releasing carbon dioxide into the air.
What not to do:
- Do not place dry ice in water or other liquids.
- Do not attempt to dump dry ice in a sink or toilet. The extreme cold will harm sink and toilet parts and pipes.
- Do not dispose of dry ice in garbage receptacles or garbage chutes.
- Do not leave dry ice in an unventilated room to evaporate. It will release a build-up of carbon dioxide into the air that can cause rapid suffocation.
- Do not place dry ice on a tile or laminate countertop. Instead, use a solid surface – a wood cutting board or piece of plywood is best. Dry ice is sometimes used in tile removal and may destroy the bonding agent holding the tile or laminated material in place.
- Do not store dry ice in a glass or air-tight container. Pressure will build up inside and could cause the container to explode.
Can I request custom cuts?
Yes, for ½ beef orders! We are happy to work with you so you can get your meat exactly the way you like it (or tailored to your preference). Email us at contact@hynsonspringsmranch.com and we will work with you to get your half beef portion processed the way you want.
About Beef
How long does a 1/2 Beef or 1/4 Beef beef last?
How long a ½ Beef or ¼ Beef lasts depends on how much beef you and your family typically eat each week.
If you eat 6–7 lbs. of beef per week (about 3 beef meals per week):
- ½ Beef will last approximately 6–7 months
- ¼ Beef will last approximately 3–4 months
If you eat 4–5 lbs. of beef per week (about 2 beef meals per week):
- ½ Beef will last approximately 1 year
- ¼ Beef will last approximately 6 months
If you eat 2–3 lbs. of beef per week (about 1 beef meal per week):
¼ Beef will last approximately 1 year
How long is frozen beef good if you keep it frozen?
Beef can be frozen for a year or even longer, provided it's stored properly and the freezer maintains a consistent temperature. While it's generally recommended to use frozen beef within 6-12 months for optimal quality, it remains safe to consume indefinitely if kept frozen at 0°F (-18°C) or lower, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and FoodSafety.gov.
How many steaks are in a ½ Beef or ¼ Beef?
The number of steaks you receive in a ½ Beef or ¼ Beef depends on the thickness of the cuts and can vary from steer to steer, as no two steers are exactly the same. Additionally, all of our beef is hand-cut, so there may be slight variations in steak thickness.
For reference, our individual cut steaks and Quarter Beef are typically cut to 1¼ inches thick. This results in steaks that generally weigh between 12–14 oz., depending on the cut.
Here’s an approximate yield based on that thickness:
1/2 Beef
- Ribeye – Typically yields 10–12 steaks (13 oz. each), or about 8 lbs. total
- New York Strip – Typically yields 5–6 steaks (13 oz. each), or about 6–7 lbs. total
- Sirloin – Typically yields 12–14 steaks (13 oz. each), or about 10 lbs. total
- Filet Mignon (cut 1.5 in. thick) – Typically yields 6–7 steaks (7 oz. each), or about 3 lbs. Total
1/4 Beef
- Ribeye – Typically yields 5–6 steaks (13 oz. each), or about 4-5 lbs. total
- New York Strip – Typically yields 4–5 steaks (13 oz. each), or about 3 lbs. total
- Sirloin – Typically yields 6–7 steaks (13 oz. each), or about 5 lbs. total
- Filet Mignon (cut 1.5 in. thick) – Typically yields 3–4 steaks (7 oz. each), or about 1-2 lbs. Total
How much space do I need to store a Whole Beef, ½ Beef, ¼ Beef?
Typical Minimum Freezer Space Requirements:
- A 5 cu. ft. chest freezer fits a Quarter Beef
- A 7 cu. ft. chest freezer fits a Half Beef
- A 14 cu. ft. chest freezer fits a Whole Steer
If you’d like extra space to sort and organize the beef by cut, consider choosing a freezer that’s larger than the minimum recommended size.
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