[Jacob-list] re:grassfed is best

[Grose]

niche marketing niche marketing niche marketing
This is one of the topics that we are considering for the JSBA AGM next year. I am not qualified to expound on it . I believe that Thom is correct that you cannot chase after the markets. Everything that my experience tells me is that if you have what people want, the will beat on your door to get it, and if you don't, you can't give the stuff away. Neither am I in a position to come up with a good idea of the costs of production in an optimal pasture based system here in NC. We are currently in the worst draught on record [To date this year we are 4 inches of rain less than 1986!] There is no grass without irrigation. I am well aware of the problems of making a profit with agriculture, having been a dairy farmer for 30 years. We are getting the same basic price that we have gotten for the last 20 years. [Oh, by the way, we're getting a big price drop this month.] There are a few farms that are using a direct to consumer approach and doing well; but, this is not something that you can do half way- you will loose your shirt doing that.
 On the other hand, there is a model for value added grass-fed beef. Argentinean beef and buffalo command prices above market even though they are inferior products due to their marketing as " low cholesterol" products. To a lesser extent, Scottish Highland cattle have been able to cash in on this approach where direct marketing is possible; with the added benefit that they actually have something worthwhile to sell if they do a good job of raising the calves. I feel confident that the same could be true of many of the minor breeds that we work with.

Neal Grose 
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