GRASSFED BISONThe Opportunity
Lee & Mary GraeseNorthstar 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
Once you complete the video, return to the slideshow.
Our Locations
The Opportunity
Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass
Meat Sales / Direct Marketing
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
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
Cool Season Grasses
November 7, 2009
November 13, 2009
Parasite Control
Fecal testing
10% herd exams Monthly routine Very cost effective Minimize animal handling
Grazing
Mechanical
Manual
Weed Control is handled through:
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
Land Base
Leased land Higher profitability Belwin Project Contract Grazing
BELWIN PROJECT
Restoration of Native Prairie Grasses
BELWIN PROJECT
Mixture of forbs and prairie grasses
Summer 2009
The Opportunity
Animals: Grazing and finishing on grass Meat Sales / Direct Marketing
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
Meat Sales cont…
Value added products Whole carcass
utilization Whole Halves Quarters Eighths By the pound
Specialty cutting Private labeling
Meat Sales cont…
Diversified product line Grassfed Bison Grassfed Beef Grassfed Lamb Pastured Poultry: Chicken, Turkey Elk, Venison Ostrich
Meat Sales cont….
Convenience packaging Combo packs Holiday Specials
HOLIDAY FEAST
Bison Sampler Pack
“A Little Bit of Everything”
BBQ Pack
Steak Lover’s Pack
Bison Lover’s Pack
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)
Meat Sales cont…
Bison Meat Nutritional Analysis Chart
NUTRIENT GRASSFED [1]
GRAINFED[2]
PROTEIN % 21.4 21.7
FAT % 1.9 2.1
CHOLESTEROL, MG/100GM 62 66
CALORIES, K CAL/100 GM 133 141
FATTY ACIDS, %
SATURATED 46.7 42.5
MONOUNSATURATED 36.5 46.4
POLYUNSATURATED
TOTAL POLYUNSATURATED
16.7 11.0
LINOLEIC FATTY ACID (PRIMARY OMEGA 3)
13.76 10.53
LINOLENIC FATTY ACID (PRIMARY OMEGA 3)
3.43 0.45
RATIO OMEGA 6/ OMEGA 3 (IDEAL IS 4 OR LESS) [3] 4.0 23.4[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
Meat Sales cont…
Distribution methods Ranch Store Shipping couriers: FEDEX, SPEEDEE, DHL Delivery, Shipping coops Website, Ecommerce LTL
In summary
100% Grassfed Better for the land, the people, and the
animal
Family owned and operated
Sustainable Vertical integration Financial stability
Meat Sales cont…
Promotional Materials Table tents, cookbooks, POS card,
glossy brochure, recipe cards…
Demos, tasting events
Annual Bison Feast
In Summary…
Fully Integrated Raising animals
Processing
Marketing products directly
Diversify products “ poly-culture”
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
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
FECAL TESTING – PARASITE CONTROL
Quantitative Fecal Analysis Kit$75 “Paracount EPG” recommended by Dr. Murray Woodbury, MB
Website: www.vetslides.com Email: [email protected]
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
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)