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: 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

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)