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Grassfed Bison

Grassfed Bison. The Opportunity. Lee & Mary Graese Northstar Bison, LLC. Our Story. Started in 1994 Business plan based entirely on meat value Family owned and operated. Our Story. Please watch our video available on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/ColhR_G-KxI

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Grassfed Bison

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  1. Grassfed Bison The Opportunity Lee & Mary Graese Northstar Bison, LLC

  2. Our Story Started in 1994 Business plan based entirely on meat value Family owned and operated

  3. Our Story Please watch our video available on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/ColhR_G-KxI Once you complete the video, return to the slideshow.

  4. Our Locations

  5. The Opportunity • Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass • Meat Sales / Direct Marketing

  6. Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass • Minimal input ranching • Get the iron out • Let animals be the harvesters • Each ton of hay provides $50.00 value of fertilizer

  7. Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass • Rotationally graze • No longer than 17 days per pasture • Minimum of 45 day rest • Parasite Control Yearling heifers, taken on 11/16/09

  8. Cool Season Grasses November 7, 2009 November 13, 2009

  9. Parasite Control • Fecal testing • 10% herd exams • Monthly routine • Very cost effective • Minimize animal handling

  10. Weed Control is handled through: Grazing Mechanical Manual

  11. Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass • Genetic selection • Cows > 1050 • 2 year old bred >950 • 2 year old bulls for breeding > 1250 • Weaning weights of calves = minimum of 40% of cows’ weight

  12. Land Base • Leased land • Higher profitability • Belwin Project • Contract Grazing

  13. BELWIN PROJECT • Restoration of Native Prairie Grasses

  14. BELWIN PROJECT Mixture of forbs and prairie grasses Summer 2009

  15. The Opportunity • Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass • Meat Sales / Direct Marketing

  16. Meat Sales / Direct Marketing • Identify your customers and market needs • Direct to consumer: • Retail, Buying clubs, Farmer’s Market, Website • Direct to chef: • Restaurant, Chefs, Food service • Direct to store: • Wholesale, Health Food Store, Grocery • Fresh or frozen • Weekly routine orders

  17. Meat Sales cont… • Value added products • Whole carcass utilization • Whole • Halves • Quarters • Eighths • By the pound • Specialty cutting • Private labeling

  18. Meat Sales cont… • Diversified product line • Grassfed Bison • Grassfed Beef • Grassfed Lamb • Pastured Poultry: Chicken, Turkey • Elk, Venison • Ostrich

  19. Meat Sales cont…. • Convenience packaging • Combo packs • Holiday Specials Bison Sampler Pack Bison Lover’s Pack BBQ Pack “A Little Bit of Everything” Steak Lover’s Pack HOLIDAY FEAST

  20. Meat Sales cont… • Know your product • Health benefits of grassfed meat • Lower in total fat • Lower in saturated fat • 2x as much Beta-Carotene • 3x more Omega-3 fatty acids • 4x more Vitamin E • 5x more cancer-fighting CLA’s • Richest natural source of CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid)

  21. Meat Sales cont… • Bison Meat Nutritional Analysis Chart [1] Marchello et al [Data has not yet been published in a peer review journal] [2] Marchello et al, Journal of Food Compostion and Analysis 11, 231-239 (1998) [3] Simopoulos, A. and Robinson, Jo. The Omega Plan. Herper Collin, 1998

  22. Meat Sales cont… • Distribution methods • Ranch Store • Shipping couriers: FEDEX, SPEEDEE, DHL • Delivery, Shipping coops • Website,Ecommerce • LTL

  23. In summary • 100% Grassfed • Better for the land, the people, and the animal • Family owned and operated • Sustainable • Vertical integration • Financial stability

  24. Meat Sales cont… • Promotional Materials • Table tents, cookbooks, POS card, glossy brochure, recipe cards… • Demos, tasting events Annual Bison Feast

  25. In Summary… • Fully Integrated • Raising animals • Processing • Marketing products directly • Diversify products • “ poly-culture”

  26. In Summary… • Plan your business around your dreams & passions • Niche marketing • Own your customer • Sell your products direct at least 40-50% • Multiple distribution arms / venues

  27. Meat Sales cont… • Pricing Considerations • Cost of production, Raising • Worksheet: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture • Margin of profit • Competition / Market • Retail, Wholesale, Case lots, Minimum orders

  28. FECAL TESTING – PARASITE CONTROL • Quantitative Fecal Analysis Kit$75 • “Paracount EPG” recommended by Dr. Murray Woodbury, MB • Website: www.vetslides.com • Email: chalexcorp@att.net • CBA website – presentation by Dr. Woodbury on Parasite Control • Parasite Detection Manual: • “Veterinary Clinical Parasitology” 7th Edition • By Anne M. Zajoe, Gary A. Conboy $30 • Microscope: 40-400 power (we use 100 power) $200 • Fecasol : 1 gallon $20

  29. FECAL TESTING – PARASITE CONTROL • Tips for successful analysis: • Make sure sample is within 1 hour of being deposited. The fresher the better! Must refrigerate in a sealed container or bag until test – will last up to 1 week. If it lays in a warm environment (dash of the truck) in 30 minutes the eggs can begin to hatch. • Try to track and chart the animal(s) that you test from. Always test 10% of the herd to get a proper herd assessment. Retest again 10-12 days after treatment to be sure you have accomplished a 70-80% reduction or more. • The price we paid…………….. • 100 calves – 6-8 different herds combined • Cost $30-$40,000 • Rent paid for grass & pasture not utilized • Numerous wormers used • Loss of yield on the rail(never reached full potential)

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