2003 Annual Report for FS03-173
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2003: $15,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2005
Region: Southern
State: Virginia
Principal Investigator:
Marilyn Sanford
Mid-Atlantic Meat Goat & Lamb Marketing Cooperativ
Pasture-based Goat and Sheep Producer to Processor Transfer Station Project
Summary
To improve marketing channels for goat and sheep producers, this producer cooperative will develop a producer-to-producer pasture-based transfer station. With a membership of seventy producers in six states, the coop has decided it is time to start shipping directly to processors.
The coop hopes to be able to meet the demands of processors who want different weights, ages and grades of animals. The coop feels that they will retain more of their profit if they can bypass sale barns. They also hope that both they and the processors will benefit by having a steady year-round market with pre-set contractual prices.