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Flying Mule Farm

Flying Mule Farm. Enhancing the Environment through Managed Grazing. Flying Mule Farm Grazing Management. Overview and History Environmental Enhancement and Resource Management Animal Health and Welfare Predator Protection Community Education Custom Grazing Highland Farms Grassfed Lamb.

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Flying Mule Farm

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  1. Flying Mule Farm Enhancing the Environment through Managed Grazing Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  2. Flying Mule Farm Grazing Management • Overview and History • Environmental Enhancement and Resource Management • Animal Health and Welfare • Predator Protection • Community Education • Custom Grazing • Highland Farms Grassfed Lamb Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  3. Overview and History • The Macon Family founded Flying Mule Farm in Auburn in 2001 • Currently converting to mule-based farming of summer and fall vegetables • Also produce eggs and poultry • Offering firewood (oak and Douglas fir) in 2007 – converting to mule-based logging techniques. • Dan and Samia Macon have been raising sheep since 1990 • Our daughters Lara and Emma participate in our farming endeavors Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  4. Overview and History Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  5. Overview and History Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  6. Overview and History • We raise Dorper and Dorper-cross sheep • Dorper sheep originated in South Africa • A cross between Dorset sheep (from England) and Black-headed Persian sheep (from the Middle East), Dorpers shed their wool (rather than requiring shearing) • We custom graze cattle and sheep for other producers. • Multi-species grazing provides numerous benefits Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  7. Dan Macon - professional experience California Rangeland Trust – founding executive director Society for Range Management – California-Pacific Section – Past President Sierra College – instructor (Agriculture Department) UC Davis – guest lecturer (Animal Science, Agricultural Law and Environmental Policy/Planning) Samia Macon, DVM – professional experience UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine – graduated 1994 Loomis Basin Large Animal Clinic – associate veterinarian (1995-2005) Samia Macon Mobile Veterinary Services – owner (2005-present) Overview and History Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  8. Environmental Enhancement • Through our management intensive grazing system, we enhance the environment by: • Restoring native and perennial grasses • Controlling yellow starthistle, blackberries and other invasive weeds • Restoring and improving pastures • Reducing wildfire fuels • Eliminating competitive weeds and brush in newly established timber stands Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  9. Flying Mule Farm’s grazing management strategies also protect water quality by maintaining riparian buffers and carefully monitoring grazing use. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  10. Off-Stream Water Development Using solar-powered pumps and holding tanks, we provide stock water without allowing livestock access to creeks and ponds. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  11. Resource Management • The key elements of our management intensive grazing system are: • Low stress livestock handling • Portable electric fencing (with a battery-powered low impedance energizer) • Short grazing periods followed by lengthy rest periods • Regular adjustments in stocking rate based on forage growth Electric charge on the netting is kept between 7 and 9 kilovolts (7-9,000 volts). The charge pulses every other second on the netting and only lasts 0.003 milliseconds each pulse. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  12. Managed Grazing • We use a grazing calendar to track our management and to plan for future years • We also track precipitation to help anticipate grass growth and appropriate stocking rate Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  13. Animal Health and Welfare • Our management intensive, multi-species grazing system reduces the incidence of respiratory ailments, internal and external parasites, and other health problems (mostly by eliminating the need for close confinement) • Samia Macon, DVM, oversees our vaccination and health management program • Multi-species grazing reduces the need for administering de-wormers. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  14. Animal Health and Welfare • We use low stress livestock handling techniques: • Livestock are allowed to move at their own pace • Our system is entirely pasture based – sheep have constant access to growing feed and fresh water • We use well-trained herding dogs to assist with livestock movement and placement. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  15. Predator Protection • Sheep are vulnerable to a variety of predators, including mountain lions, coyotes, and domestic dogs • Flying Mule Farm uses predator friendly management systems • Portable electric fencing • Livestock Protection Dogs Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  16. We use cross-bred Livestock Protection Dogs to guard our sheep. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  17. Predator Protection • Livestock protection dogs were among the first dogs that domesticated by humans • These dogs live with our sheep around the clock • Livestock protection dogs discourage predators through barking and intimidation Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  18. Community Education • Flying Mule Farm is committed to educating new producers, youth and the community • Educational programs include: • Harvest Festivals • Extension Workshops (lambing management, pasture management, etc.) • Community College courses • Internships • We can also provide orientation sessions for new landowners and visitors Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  19. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  20. We market our lambs as Highland FarmsGrass-fed Lamb • Our lamb is available direct to customers, through local farmers markets and at fine local restaurants Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  21. Our lamb is: • Hormone and antibiotic free • 100% grassfed – higher in omega-3 and conjugated linoleic acids • Humanely raised • Predator friendly Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  22. Custom Grazing • Flying Mule Farm custom grazes cattle and sheep for other producers. • Custom grazing programs can be designed to meet your needs. • Our grazing programs can also help control invasive weeds and other problem vegetation. Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

  23. Flying Mule Farm Grazing Management • Flying Mule Farm can help landowners: • Improve pastures • Reduce invasive weeds and wildfire danger • Reduce or eliminate the need for mowing large fields and pastures • Increase land productivity • Turn grass and weeds into income Flying Mule Farm www.flyingmulefarm.com

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