[derketchup]

There is a local healthfood store in Bothell that basically orders a couple of cows every so often and has customers preorder it.

Hmm, let's see. I would try the following:

• see if there are any local ranchers who will sell you a cow or half a cow. You can then freeze it and use it year round.
• find out what local stores sell organic beef AND when they usually mark down their beef. I've had some success stalking the meat cases at Fred Meyer for organic meat. You just have to either use it that day or freeze it that day, which is usually not a big deal for most of us.
• search for a local food co-op and see if they have any connections for organic meat. You don't have to be a member to buy at most co-ops -- they will just tack on a small fee (usually % based).

I agree, avoid grain-fed cattle if you can. In fact, if I had to choose between organic-grain-fed and non-organic but certified free range, I'd go with the free range every time. Even if the cow got a lot of antibiotics, IMO walking around in a field all day would help it get it out of its system sooner. Just like kids who play outside all day and eat HFCS -- they're sadly healthier on average than kids who sit inside all day and only eat organic food.