Be a part of the conservation effort! Not everyone can raise endangered animals and help conserve them in this way. But, everyone can help in their own way. You can sponsor a herd sire and help to support those breeding animals.

Herd sires are the male breeding animals that are used to reproduce our breeds. These herd sires are genetically significant in that they represent the diverse and endangered bloodlines in each breed. By sponsoring one of our boys, you help to feed, shelter and care for these magnificent creatures throughout the year.

For more info on sponsoring a herd sire at Maveric, please select the Herd Sires link on the left of this page.

A little bit about us...

Thank you for visiting the Maveric Heritage Ranch Co. web site. Here at Maveric, we do a small part to contribute to the conservation of endangered breeds by raising these animals in a natural environment, and keeping them in production. Whenever possible, we pasture our livestock, including our poultry, hogs, sheep, goats & cattle, so that they may graze and benefit from the plant species available on our property. Most of our livestock is raised on a grain free diet. We also do not use any drugs, growth hormones or stimulants or feed any antibiotics or other chemicals. We provide a varied diet full of nutrients, which in turn produces healthy animals and beneficial animal products.

We personally know all of the livestock on our ranch, by name and personality. All animals are raised with the utmost respect for their well-being. We handle all babies within hours of their births, and continue to handle all our stock throughout their lives. The animals, in turn, learn to trust and respect us. Animals raised in this manner are relatively free of stress, become friendly and tame and easy to manage.

In addition to the breeding stock raised at Maveric, we produce high quality meats, poultry, dairy products and eggs. Our grassfed meats are high in Omega Fatty acids, an essential nutrient for humans. Chemical free, fresh and raised humanely, our products are delicious and nutritious.

By keeping these breeds in production, we are insuring an ample supply of breeding stock and genetic diversity for future generations, as well as raising enough additional animals to provide top quality meats for our family and yours. We cull our herds and flocks heavily (select and save only the best for breeding). The animals that best represent the breed standard are used for breeding, and the others are raised for animal products. Since we do not "powerfeed" our animals, they grow slowly. This, in turn, produces fine meats with a rich texture, flecking and marbling and mouth-watering flavor.

We also raise several breeds for the sole purpose of ensuring their survival. Our Miniature Sicilian Donkeys and American Paint and Quarter Horses are incredible companions, service animals and friends.

We love our animals and are filled with a sense of pride about them. Not only are they stunning to see, but they are truly friends and companions. Animals teach us a lot about life, lessons we could not learn from any other source. Gaining an animal's trust is truly a blessing. In return for that blessing, we do what we can to give them healthy, happy lives.

We are active members with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Slow Food USA, the American Mulefoot Hog Association and others. We support and are supported by several other organizations including Local Harvest, Dakota Rural Action, and EatWild.com. For more info on our friends and fellow conservation and sustainable farming partners, please see our "Friends" page.
Maveric was chosen as the feature farm for Management Intensive Grazing of Multiple Species for the State of South Dakota for 2005. We hosted a wonderful tour, to educate fellow ranchers, extension officers, USDA employees and others interested in better utilizing their natural resources through grazing.

We have been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles that highlight our breeds and husbandry programs.

Maveric has also supplied breeding stock and exhibit animals to several zoos throughout the US and several private breeders this year. We feel honored to contribute to the continued preservation of these wonderful creatures.

We continue to educate others on the benefits of raising these wonderful breeds and about optimizing each person's potential in animal husbandry and conservation. We are always open to visiting with fellow breeders and ranchers, to learn as well as share.

Sincerely,

Maveric Heritage Ranch Co.