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Maveric
Heritage Ranch Co. was established to raise and preserve rare breeds of
livestock for the purposes of conservation, genetic diversity and to benefit
future generations of all creatures. We continue our work through selective
breeding, increased production and public education.
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.
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