flying mule farm & highland farms grass-fed lamb & goat · 2011. 6. 7. · (530) 305-3270...

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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com

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Producing and MarketingGrass-fed Lamb


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Flying Mule Farm & HighlandFarms Grass-fed Lamb & Goat

• Overview and Farm History• Our Story…

– Why we’re grass-fed– We’re local– We’re predator friendly (but our guard dogs aren’t!)– Our grazing management enhances the environment– Supporting other ranchers who share our vision

• Challenges and Opportunities– Lessons we’ve learned (and some we’re still

learning)!


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Overview and History• We founded Flying Mule

Farm in Auburn in 2001.• We are currently

converting to mule-basedvegetable farming andfirewood production.

• Also produce eggs andpastured poultry.

• We have been raisingsheep since 1990.

• Our daughters Lara andEmma participate in ourfarming endeavors.

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Flying Mule Farm


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Overview and History• We currently own roughly

100 head of mostlyDorper-cross sheep.– We like moderate frame

size – they finish easier ongrass!

• In 2007, we marketed~150 lambs.

• We also custom grazesheep for otherproducers.

• We purchase outsidefeeder lambs when wehave extra grass.

• We purchase finishedlambs that are producedaccording to ourmanagement protocols:– 100% grass-fed– No added hormones– No antibiotics– Predator-friendly (as we

define it)• Our land base consists of

2 leased ranches (inLincoln and Auburn) plusour home property.


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Highland Farms• We use Highland Farms

as a brand name, whichallows us to purchaselambs and goats fromother producers.

• We believe in supportingother ranchers who shareour vision of sustainablelivestock production.

• We may begin marketingpastured poultry underthe same brand name.

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Why we’re grass-fed…• We are grass farmers,

and sheep are our 4-legged harvesters.

• As ruminants, sheep areideally suited to thrive ongrass.

• Grass-fed meat is high inOmega-3 fatty acids, betacarotene and CLAs.

• By managing our grasscarefully, we minimize theneed to import other feedsources (like grains).


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What predator friendly means to us…• We use guardian dogs

and electric fences toprotect our sheep frompredators.

• We feel that we’veestablished a relationshipwith the predators in ouroperation – they aretrained to look elsewherefor a meal.

• In a drastic situation, wemight consider lethalcontrol (which we tell ourcustomers).


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Environmental Enhancement• We enhance the environment

by:– Restoring native and perennial

grasses– Controlling yellow starthistle,

blackberries and other invasiveweeds

– Restoring and improving pastures– Reducing wildfire fuels– Eliminating competitive weeds

and brush in newly establishedtimber stands

• Our winter ranch is owned bythe Placer Land Trust – we’remanaging vernal pool habitat!

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Environmental Enhancement• The key elements of our

management intensivegrazing system are:– Low stress livestock

handling using well-traineddogs

– Portable electric fencing(with a battery-powered lowimpedance energizer)

– Short grazing periodsfollowed by lengthy restperiods

– Regular adjustments instocking rate based onforage growth

Electric charge on thenetting is kept between 7and 9 kilovolts (7-9,000volts). The charge pulsesevery other second onthe netting and only lasts0.003 milliseconds eachpulse.


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Partnerships• We purchase feeder

lambs and finished lambsfrom ranchers who shareour vision of sustainableproduction.

• Flying Mule Farm iscommitted to educatingnew producers, youth andthe community

• We also provideorientation sessions fornew landowners andvisitors


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• Our lamb is availablethrough the followingoutlets:– Farmer’s Markets in

Placer County– Carpe Vino, Le Bilig,

Moody’s Bistro,Christy Hill (and otherrestaurants)

– Riverhill Farm CSA– Directly from the farm


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Challenges and Opportunities

• Processing– We’re lucky to have

Superior Farms – they’vebeen an outstandingpartner!

– Tour your processor’sfacility if you can – you’lllearn a great deal!

– Written cutting and pricinginstructions are critical!

– Retail product yield isabout 30-35% of liveweight.

– Our customers provideinvaluable feedback aboutcuts.

• Production– Grass-based production

depends on effectivefencing, predator controland stockwater systems.

– Pasture lambing works ifyou have a good guarddog!

– Sheep can be trained toeat a wide-variety offorages.

– We’re struggling to controlfoot rot – it’s related to ourneed to bring in outsidesheep.


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Challenges and Opportunities• Marketing

– Our website(www.flyingmulefarm.com)has been a tremendous help.

– Recipes help move the lowerpriced cuts (I can sell “tons” ofriblets and shoulder roasts)!

– Free samples for restaurantshelp create a relationship.

– Restaurants can help create“pull through.”

– Strategic product donationshelp increase awareness.

• Sales– Pricing is a continuous

learning process.– Discounting to move a

particular cut can be effective.– Wholesaling is rarely

profitable for us – we do itfrom time to time for cash flowreasons.

– At the farmer’s market, it paysto be able to suggest cookingideas – you have to know yourproduct!

– Know the difference betweencustomers and consumers!

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Closing Thoughts…• Our customers really want us to succeed!

– They’ll help spread the word about our products.– They’ll help with deliveries and logistics.– They’ll even help with production activities!

• Our story and our quality are equally important.• LOCAL – GRASS-FED – SUSTAINABLE!!! –

these elements work for us!

flying mule farm & highland farms grass-fed lamb & goat · 2011. 6. 7. · (530) 305-3270...

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