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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
Producing and MarketingGrass-fed Lamb
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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)!
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
Flying Mule Farm
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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.
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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).
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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).
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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.
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
• 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
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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.
(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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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(530) 305-3270 Flying Mule Farmwww.flyingmulefarm.com
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!