OUR PRODUCER ALLIANCE

   Although Maverick Ranch Natural Meats produces and markets multiple lines of natural proteins, we are only interested in buying cattle at this time. Our needs for naturally raised lamb, buffalo, pork, and chicken are currently met and exceeded by our producer partners.

   Maverick Ranch started the first value based marketing system for cattle producers that incorporated breed, grading and management practices. This system started in the fall of 1985 with 3000 head of Salers sired cattle. Maverick Ranch was the first beef company to meet the USDA carcass labeling requirements combining both Natural and Lite. As a result of this, our NaturaLite Beef brand was born. As we say... The Name Says It All.

   Value-based marketing is intended to financially reward family farmers and ranchers for superior cattle genetics and exceptional management practices. Therefore, producers who raise average cattle have an incentive to improve their herds. Cattle must be Salers, Salers cross and other continental breeds.

   Maverick does not accept cattle with Brahman influence, dairy cattle or bulls. Cattle must be 100% vegetarian fed, pasture raised, and finished on corn in Maverick Ranch-approved feedlots. Each group of Salers based cattle must be approved by our producer alliance director, Bob Rolston. The following is a list of premiums and penalties:

GRADING CRITERIA:

1. USDA Quality Grade
2. Yield Grade
3. Maturity
4. Weight

PREMIUMS:

1. Select & Choice
2. Y1 and Y2

DISCOUNTS:

1. Under 700 lbs. Carcass Weight
2. Over 1000 lbs. Carcass Weight
3. Y3 and Y4

DISQUALIFIED CATTLE:

1. Standard, "No Roll," Dark Cutters, Bulls
2. B or C maturity

  All cattle must be in load lots of 40 head and delivered to plants approved by Maverick Ranch. Cattle must grade USDA Select or Choice and be Yield Grade 1 and 2. Premiums are paid for management practices such as feeding vitamin E and elimination of environmental estrogens and androgens, as well as all live or modified live calfhood vaccines. Please see below the 3 programs we are purchasing for. Note: Maverick Ranch uses only USDA graded steer and heifer beef. No bulls are accepted, as naturally-occurring hormone levels may be many times higher than in steers and heifers. Also, bull beef is not accepted for grading by USDA.

ACCEPTABLE SYSTEMS FOR MAVERICK RANCH CATTLE

 NATURAL CATTLE - PRODUCER VERIFIED
  Documented cattle from birth. Raised on pasture and a 100% vegetarian corn and grain diet with no animal byproducts or proteins. Raised 100% without growth hormones or antibiotics EVER. Producer verified with signed affidavits.

  Maverick Ranch takes our producer verification program one step farther.. Maverick Ranch has implemented a secure system for the identification and source verification of livestock. Developed by Optibrand, this retinal eye scanning technology provides Maverick Ranch with complete cattle documentation from birth to slaughter.

  To learn more about Optibrand technology, please visit their web site at www.optibrand.com

NATURAL CATTLE - LABORATORY VERIFIED
  Cattle raised on 100% vegetarian diet of pasture, hay, and whole grains of corn and wheat. No animal byproducts or proteins ever fed. Ranchers are requested to not give growth hormones or antibiotics unless a life-threatening illness is present. Beef carcasses are then tested prior to Maverick Ranch fabrication by Guarantek Analytical Laboratories. Our guarantee is that if any beef shows residue from antibiotics, steroids (growth hormones), or pesticides, that entire beef carcass is removed from the Maverick Ranch system.

LIVE CATTLE PROCUREMENT

   Maverick Ranch is proud to have Bob Rolston as its Director of Live Cattle Procurement. Bob came to Maverick in 1996 after 30 years in livestock association management at state and national levels. He grew up on a cattle operation in Northern Wyoming and received his formal education at the University of Wyoming. In addition to his duties at Maverick Ranch, he currently serves as Chairman of the Colorado Livestock Association and is the Federation Division Vice Chairman of the National Cattleman's Beef Association.

   For further information on the Maverick Ranch Natural programs, call Bob Rolston at 303-294-0146 (office) or 303-809-7447 (cell). You can also e-mail him at bobr@maverickranch.com