Where's the beef?  It's just west of Moose Jaw near Mortlach at Kattle Kountry where their slogan is "From our Family Farm to your Fork". 

The Eastmond family owns and operates Kattle Kountry.  In fact, the farm has been in the family since 1908.   

These days, Lee and Ashley Eastmond along with Lee's parents, Les and Donna are working hard to make a relatively new idea work.  In fact, you can see how it's working if you check out their website:  kattlekountrybeef.ca

We asked Ashley to tell us a little bit about the storied history of the Eastmond farm. 

"Albert Eastmond moved out here about 113 years ago and settled the lands north of Mortlach and since then the family farm has been passed from generation to generation.  My husband and I farm now with his parents, Les and Donna", she explained. 

Kattle Kountry Beef carries 100% farm-raised beef.

Ashley joined the family after meeting Lee right here in Saskatchewan.  In fact, it's an Agribition love story! 

"We both have a love for cattle, and we met at Agribition.  We started talking and I couldn't convince him to move to Alberta and he convinced me to come this way and I haven't regretted it since," Ashley said. 

And while the Eastmond farm has been around for over a century, Kattle Kountry Beef is a new business - a product of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"When COVID first started in March of 2020, we had a batch of cattle that were ready for finish and people's plates and the market had really softened - to the point that we weren't able to sell the beef like we normally would...We knew we had to do something different.  There was a need.  The shelves were in short supply of beef, and we had the supply here.  We knew we had a really great, local, wholesome and healthy product.  So, we sat at the kitchen table here and talked about how we could connect directly with the consumer.  We had always sold the odd side here and there to family and friends, but this is definitely something that we launched full force in sort of a needy type of situation," Ashley explained. 

And how are things going? 

"Really good, actually.  It's really rewarding to connect direct to our consumers and tell them the story about how their beef is raised and help them to choose the best cuts for their family.  Our butchers do a really great job of maximizing the steak cuts with some cuts that you normally wouldn't see at a grocery store or at a retail shop.  So, we're able to get the most value out of our animals and some unique cuts into our consumers' hands.  I think they've been learning a lot about what they can do with their beef - the different cuts and qualities - and we've been really rewarded by being able to connect with the consumer to know how much they're enjoying their beef," Ashley said. 

Kattle Kountry Beef is, literally, a farm to fork operation. 

"That's exactly it.  We raise the calves here and take them directly to the finishing stage so they're ready for the consumers plates.  We're involved every step of the way from animal welfare, feeding and the harvesting process...we make sure it's a wholesome and sustainable, healthy product for our consumers." 

So, with no middleman, Kattle Kountry Beef is able to deliver their product with savings to their customers. 

"It's really economical to buy a side of beef direct from the producer.  We recently did a study in terms of what grocery store prices were - average steak and roast prices - and if you buy a side of beef right now, you're saving $1800.00 to $1900.00.  It's a lot of an up-front cost for people but in the end, completely worth it.  Our dry-aged product is really, really rich in flavour and that really sets us apart from the typical retail market," Ashley explained. 

The Eastmonds have Angus-based cattle with a predominantly Red Angus herd.  Ashley urges us to take a look at the beautiful meat they produce at katllekountrybeef.ca   

It's there you'll find appetizing photos of the various products and packages available for purchase from sides and quarters to beef boxes, individual cuts, 'Snacks and Bites' and much more. 

"We just recently launched our Rancher's Subscription Box as well.  So, with that one, for $120.00 a month you're going to get about 12 pounds of a variety of beef cuts and it comes direct to your door every single month.  It allows you to capitalize on all of our unique cuts and our amazing flavour and you can do it with a small package each month, so you've always got a freezer full of delicious beef," Ashley said. 

Kattle Kountry is also working on offering their products in local-area grocery stores. 

"We're currently working on some new markets in Regina and Saskatoon and at this point in time, we have our products at South Hill Fine Foods in Moose Jaw.  We've been partnering with them for over a year, and it's been working great for both of us." 

That said, the farm to fork customer base has been growing. 

"Absolutely.  It's really nice.  This year, more than anything, our sides and quarter orders have come from a lot of repeat customers.  You know, people who bought a side last year to support us and they absolutely loved it and hit repeat this year.  So, it's super awesome to get that feedback with customers coming back whether it's the box - buying it monthly - depending on how much your family goes through or buying a whole side and eating that for a year and then coming back for another one," Ashley said. 

Ashley invites you to take a look at what they're offering at kattlekountrybeef.ca or you can place an order via telephone at 306-631-4019. 

"Hopefully people are inspired to reach out and interact with a producer...we dry age our beef a minimum of 21 days and they're all animals under 18 months of age so it's tender and really, really flavourful.  We guarantee our products, and we have the confidence behind our butcher team and our animals and hope it's the best beef you've ever tasted," Ashley concluded.