Our Commitment to the American Lamb Industry

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Superior Farms is committed to protecting the base of American lamb consumers for our industry and are doing our part to ensure our industry’s continued growth.  We know many producers within our industry are concerned over the recent bankruptcy of Mountain States Rosen and the closing of its Greeley, Colo. plant. During this period, it’s important to remember that the American Lamb industry is still strong and growing. It is vital that the most critical players in this supply chain – the hardworking ranchers, families and multigenerational operators raising their flocks, have a market for their lambs and a path to prosperity as we look to the future.

Rick Stott, president and CEO of Superior Farms stated, “We recognize the impact of the Mountain States Rosen bankruptcy and COVID-19 upon our industry.  While difficult in the short term, we are very optimistic that we can work through these challenges together to become a stronger industry that can increase the market share of American lamb and deliver a premium product to our consumers.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly impacted our industry with the loss of foodservice demand, consumer purchasing behaviors have shifted and are showing positive signs of increased consumption of American Lamb through grocery retail.  We are encouraged by the enthusiastic response from first time consumers of American lamb who are returning to repeat those purchases.  Through our consumer communication efforts we continue to educate and inspire consumers to enjoy American lamb on a regular basis.

As the largest processor of American Lamb, we are continuing to aggressively invest in our facilities in order to increase production capacity and throughput at our Dixon, Calif. and Denver, Colo. plants.  The upgrades being made at these plants will significantly increase our retail processing capability.  While the demand has stretched our production teams, we are working hard  to provide a continuity of supply to existing retail and foodservice American lamb customers.

At Superior Farms, we want to do all we can to help American Lamb producers achieve stability and certainty. Through livestock pricing programs and pioneering tools like Flock54 genetic testing we strive to help producers maintain higher levels of efficiency and profitability.   For our customers and consumers we are dedicated to providing the best value through a superior eating experience and through innovative new products that make serving lamb delicious and easy.  This is all done in the true spirit of partnership and to help cement a thriving future for all those who are part of the American Lamb industry.

Isaacs and Lauwers Join Superior Farms Livestock Team

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Superior Farms is pleased to announce the hiring of Karissa Isaacs and Cameron Lauwers.  Isaacs will lead the outreach and development of producer programs as the Director of Producer Resources.  Cameron Lauwers will procure livestock as the Livestock Buyer for the Dixon facility. These individuals will be valuable assets to the Livestock team and the continued betterment of the American lamb industry.

Isaacs grew up in the sheep industry and focused her education and career in lamb quality.  While pursuing her Master’s degree she worked on numerous lamb quality projects including her thesis on Differentiating Flavor Differences in American Lamb and the 2016 National Lamb Quality Audit. Her vast knowledge of the industry as part of a multi-generation sheep ranching family, and her recent work for the American Lamb Board makes her an excellent fit for the position.   In her role at Superior Farms, she serves as the direct point of contact for the company’s producer and feeder partners. Isaacs will be managing the Flock54 genetics program in addition to continuing the development of producer programs focusing on farm efficiencies.

Lauwers comes to Superior Farms with many years of experience running a 600 head intensive-accelerated sheep operation, managing a 3,200 acre alfalfa and wheat farm in east central Michigan and served as a board member of the Michigan Sheep Producers.  His extensive background in the sheep industry makes him a great fit with the livestock team.  Cameron will be responsible for procuring livestock for the Dixon facility and working with producers throughout the West.

Superior Farms is very fortunate to have found such a strong candidates to fill these integral roles in the organization.

To contact Karissa and Cameron:

Karissa Isaacs – karissa.isaacs@bobm136.sg-host.com

Cameron Lauwers – cameron.lauwers@bobm136.sg-host.com

Our Commitment To You

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We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those affected by COVID-19 both in terms of health and economic impact.   The COVID-19 pandemic is quickly and dramatically impacting the lives and businesses of nearly everyone with whom we do business.  We, at Superior Farms, would like to take a brief moment to update you upon the actions that we’re taking in response to this global crisis.

As members of the food production industry we have a responsibility to continue to operate in order for consumers to have access to good nutrition.  We recognize and embrace this responsibility and will continue to work with prudence and safety for the good of our employee owners, our producer partners, our customers and our consumers.   To that end, we continue to operate our production facilities with strict adherence to USDA guidelines and regulations to ensure that the products we provide to our retail and foodservice customers are safe, wholesome and nutritious.

The health and safety of our employee owners and other stakeholders is of utmost importance to us.  Therefore, we have implemented policies and heightened our focus to practice social distancing, optimal hygiene and sterile working environments.  We have implemented policies recommended by the CDC, the WHO and state and local officials to limit the number of people gathered and restrict non-essential travel.  We will continue to monitor these policies and adjust them as needed.

We are grateful to those medical professionals who are putting their own health at risk to stem the tide of the outbreak and to serve those in need.  We are proud of the dedication and commitment that our employee owners are demonstrating and for their willingness and ability to adapt to this ever changing situation.

Please reach out to us if you have questions or concerns.  You can reach us at anders.hemphill@bobm136.sg-host.com.

Superior Farms’ Commitment to Sustainability and Clean Energy

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Combined with Existing Wind Turbines, Solar will Now Provide 95 Percent of Energy Requirements at Leading Purveyor of American Lamb’s Dixon, Calif. Facility

Sacramento, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2019) – Superior Farms, the leading purveyor of farm-to-table American lamb in the United States, has activated a state-of-the-art solar panel system at its Dixon, Calif. facility. Now, combined with its wind turbine, 95 percent of the energy requirements for its facility will be from clean energy sources. The solar panel system is the latest initiative in the company’s overall commitment to providing sustainably raised lamb. In addition to reducing its energy use in recent years and running on clean energy, Superior Farms has also reduced its use of water, diesel fuel and plastics as part of its dedication to the environment, animal care, food quality and people.

“Our employee owned company is proud to be making significant strides in our commitment to providing sustainably raised American lamb, though clean energy solutions and careful considerations regarding water use, transportation, packaging, and more,” said Anders Hemphill, vice president of marketing and brand strategy at Superior Farms. “We lead the industry in our sustainability efforts while supporting local, rural communities and American farming families, and providing a homegrown alternative to imported lamb which must be shipped thousands of miles.”

In addition to its wind and solar clean energy initiatives, Superior Farms’ sustainability efforts have resulted in:

  • A reduced use of water by 33 percent at its Dixon facility. That savings equals the amount of water used by more than 130 households annually.
  • A reduced use of diesel fuel since 2015 by more over 140,000 gallons per year.
  • Less food waste and less plastic packaging. Transitioning its case ready packaging to a vacuum skin package reduced Superior Farms use of plastics by a third. It also eliminates the need for retailers to repackage the product when it arrives in store and keeps the lamb meat fresh for a longer period, reducing food waste.

A 100 percent employee owned company, Superior Farms partners with over 1,000 American family ranchers to provide high-quality lamb with a strong commitment to animal wellbeing and sustainability. The lambs graze mainly on open pasture lands, sustaining on the natural vegetation of vast grasslands as they have for centuries while providing benefits to the land through fertilization, erosion mitigation and wildfire suppression. Many sheep producers also work with crop farms to coordinate regenerative grazing and bring sheep onto fields after crops have been harvested. These lambs eat naturally enriched crops while boosting the level of organic matter in the soil, making it more fertile, and lowering carbon emissions by reducing the amount of tractor time on the field. Lambs receive excellent care and nutrition as well as proper handling to consistently provide the highest quality products to consumers.

For more information about Superior Farms and its sustainability efforts, including its four pillars of sustainability, visit superiorfarmssustainable.com. For sales inquiries, please contact sfsales@bobm136.sg-host.com.

About Superior Farms

Superior Farms is an employee owned company and the leading purveyor of farm-to-table American lamb. Proudly providing the highest quality natural lamb for a variety of recipes from weeknight dinners to Sunday brunch, lunches and more, Superior Farms offers a range of premium cuts that make it easy to have lamb for a change. While lamb is typically thought of as a protein for holidays or special occasions, Superior Farms takes the guess work out of preparing delicious lamb entrees. Respecting a nutrient rich land, maintaining a sustainable footprint, and working with dedicated family farmers who raise their flocks with the highest level of care, are all core values that make Superior Farms the leader in American lamb.

Superior Farms Receives First Approval to Resume American Lamb Exports to Japan

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Leading American lamb purveyor expands distribution overseas

Sacramento, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2018) – Superior Farms, the leading purveyor of farm-to-table American lamb, today announced it has exported the first shipment of American lamb to Japan since the country’s doors reopened after a 15 year absence. Superior Farms is working closely with its producer partners to deliver an exceptional product that will exceed the expectations of the Japanese consumer.  The Japanese distributor, Farmland Trading will be working with Superior Farms to introduce premium Superior Farms American lamb to high-end restaurants and retail outlets.

“We have continued our relationship with Farmland Trading for 15 years anticipating this day,” said Rick Stott, chief executive officer at Superior Farms. “This shipment represents a first step in a long-term strategic plan to grow the presence and appetite for American lamb in Japan. The potential to develop Japan into an excellent export country for American lamb is clearly there, but it will take time, investment and a long-term strategy to make that happen.”

Superior Farms is working closely with their family farmer partners to raise grain-fed lambs that are raised and hand selected at just the right time to deliver a rich, mild flavor with the size and yield that only Superior Farms American Lamb can deliver. While the Japanese market has been served by other countries, Superior Farms American Lamb brings a unique dining experience to Japan both inside and outside the home, with recipe versatility and unparalleled taste and quality that cannot be matched.

The company’s 412 employee owners are excited about the opportunity for Japanese consumers to experience the pleasure of the product that they so proudly bring to market. “We’ve always known that Superior Farms brings something special to people’s lives,” said Shaylynn Beam, sales and marketing coordinator. “It’s great to think of others who haven’t experienced us and will now get to enjoy American lamb.”

For information about Superior Farms, recipe inspiration and more please visit www.superiorfarms.com. For sales inquiries, please contact sfsales@bobm136.sg-host.com.

About Superior Farms

Superior Farms is an employee owned company and the leading purveyor of farm-to-table American lamb. Proudly providing the highest quality natural lamb for a variety of recipes from weeknight dinners to Sunday brunch, lunches and more, Superior Farms offers a range of premium cuts that make it easy to have lamb for a change. While lamb is typically thought of as a protein for holidays or special occasions, Superior Farms takes the guess work out of preparing delicious lamb entrees. Respecting a nutrient rich land, maintaining a sustainable footprint, and working with dedicated family farmers who raise its flocks with the highest level of care, are all core values that make Superior Farms the leader in American lamb.

Superior Farms Hosts Inaugural Sheep Industry Innovators Conference

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Producers, Educators and Meat Industry Leaders Gather to Forge the Lamb Industry’s Future.

July 25th, 2018 (Davis, CA) – Superior Farms hosted the inaugural Sheep Industry Innovators Conference on July 19-21, 2018.  Ranchers from across the country partnered with educators and industry leaders to discuss innovation and technology in the sheep industry.  More than 75 attendees had the opportunity to hear from world class speakers and tour local ranches, UC Davis, and the Superior Farms processing facility.

Rick Stott, CEO and President of Superior Farms, opened the conference by affirming Superior Farms’ dedication to the American Sheep Industry and success through innovation. Stott encouraged attendees to look toward the future.  “This is a great opportunity for all sectors of our industry to learn about new tools and technology to become more efficient.  Superior Farms has invested heavily to improve our efficiency in production and working together with our producer and feeder partners we can all benefit,” said Stott.

The event was organized by Lesa Eidman, Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability for Superior Farms. “This conference was designed to be a platform for producers to gain knowledge regarding innovation and technology that can make a positive impact on the Industry,” says Eidman. “The relevant research and projects taking place today at UC Davis made their campus the perfect place to host our event.”

Featured speakers included Steve Elliott of Alltech, Dr. Noelle Cockett of Utah State University, and Dr. Brenda Murdoch of the University of Idaho. Topics included disruptors in the industry, agricultural opportunities related to CRISPR and genomics, and an overview of sheep genetics and related technology.

For the touring sessions, conference attendees took to the farm to learn hands-on applications of the technology and research discussed the previous day. Ryan Mahoney and Jeff Clark of Emigh Livestock shared their experience transitioning to RFID ear tags and automatic sorting equipment.  Employee owners at Superior Farms opened the doors to the Dixon plant to showcase robotics, electronic camera grading, RFID traceability and new products.  The day concluded back at UC Davis where Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam shared her CRISPR work on polled dairy bull calves and Dr. Cassandra Tucker discussed research being conducted for the Smart Farm initiative.

On the final day of the conference, Superior Farms introduced its Flock54 program which utilizes genotype by sequencing genetic tests, allowing producers to test their flock for genetic traits and parentage.  Eidman revealed that the sheep industry should have access to this new program in the coming months.

Conference attendee Jake Thorne had this to say: “It was great to have discussions about innovative topics as opposed to the same old issues.” Several attendees remarked in similar fashion regarding the relevant, forward-thinking value they gained at the conference.

The event culminated with “Sheep Tank” group presentations, where attendees formed teams to brainstorm – and then present – new products and ideas that could propel the industry forward. According to the panel of investors and judges, each team did a phenomenal job thinking outside the box to help make a positive impact on the American Sheep Industry.

At the conference, Superior Farms unveiled a new video highlighting many of the technological advances they have launched to assist producer partners meet consumer demand and  improve productivity.

Superior Farms looks forward to announcing the details of their next conference soon.

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Founded in 1964 with headquarters in Sacramento, California, Superior Farms is North America’s largest, and most sustainable, processor and marketer of lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices.  Superior Farms is an employee-owned company whose members take pride in their individual roles and contributions to the company’s success.  The Superior Farms family of brands includes Superior Farms, www.superiorfarms.com; Cascade Creek, www.cascadecreeklamb.com;  Farmer’s Mark, www.farmersmark.com; Twitter: @eatlamb; Instagram: @superiorfarms.

Superior Farms Secures USDA Approval for Industry’s First Camera Grading Technology

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Superior Farms Continues to Invest in the US Lamb Industry by Providing Electronic Grading to Benefit Producers and Consumers

February 6th, 2018 (Sacramento, CA) – Superior Farms, North America’s largest lamb processor, announced that it has received approval from the USDA to begin grading carcasses with the VSS2000 System camera (Electronic Grading), the first digital camera to be approved for use in the US lamb industry. The new digital camera was installed in October 2015, and Superior Farms has worked hand-in-hand with the USDA to secure approval since then.

Rick Stott, President and CEO of Superior Farms said of the launch; “Our team worked closely with the USDA for two years validating the camera’s algorithms to assure accurate full carcass measurements of both yield and quality grades.   Combining Electronic Grading with our Producer Portal will allow unprecedented access to carcass information by our producer partners that will allow every segment of our industry to continue to produce a better product.”

This Electronic Grading system will provide Superior Farms producers detailed meat information about their lambs.  “We will now be able to share this detailed information with producers through our Producer Portal.  This information includes the USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade, as well as the Ovine Cutability Calculation (OCC), the primal weights (leg, loin, shoulder, rack, breast, trotters, and neck) and two digital images of each lamb carcass processed,” said Lesa Eidman, Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability for Superior Farms.

“This technology will provide our producers with an unprecedented amount of information about the meat and carcass characteristics of their lambs. Ultimately, producers will be able to make genetic and production changes to provide US lamb customers with the highest quality, most consistent product we can deliver,” added Eidman.

The next steps are to, first, pair this information with the Electronic Identification (EID) tags so that producers can see the data on an individual lamb basis.  Second, to implement the technology in Superior Farms’ Denver facility.

“Now that we have received approval from the USDA for the camera grading, we can begin implementing the technology in our Denver facility,” Stott noted. “We look forward to working with the USDA to expedite the approval process so that both of our facilities have this state of the art technology.”  The USDA grader will remain onsite to verify that the technology remains accurate and in-line with the USDA grading standards.

The American Lamb Board has been a vital participant in bringing this development to fruition.  Most importantly, the board funded electronic grading research conducted by The Center for Meat Safety and Quality, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University.  In their study titled “Industry Implications and Economics of Implementation of Lamb Instrument Grading,” The CSU found overwhelming evidence of the value of the camera technology and concluded: “… unprecedented information about lamb carcass composition and value will be collected and available. True production management decisions can be made by U.S. sheep producers with conveyance of product attributes of harvested lambs.”

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Founded in 1964 with headquarters in Sacramento, California, Superior Farms is North America’s largest, and most sustainable, processor and marketer of lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices.  Superior Farms is an employee-owned company whose members take pride in their individual roles and contributions to the company’s success.  The Superior Farms family of brands includes Superior Farms, www.superiorfarms.com; Cascade Creek, www.cascadecreeklamb.com;  Farmer’s Mark, www.farmersmark.com

Humane Treatment Statement

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The employee owners of Superior Farms take very seriously our responsibility for the humane treatment of all animals.  Humane animal handling in our plants is a top priority and we demonstrate this by:

  • Having a veterinarian on staff to ensure that we are handling animals according to the highest animal welfare standards.
  • Receiving the highest marks in 10 voluntary audits in 2016 for animal welfare by regulatory agencies, our customers, and other quality assurance certification agencies.
  • Establishing procedures and uncompromising standards that exceed USDA requirements regarding animal handling procedures.  All actions at our plants occur with USDA personnel on site.
  • Having Dr. Temple Grandin, Ph.D. the leading animal behaviorist, help design not only our facilities but also our training program for our employees that handle animals. In early 2016, Dr. Grandin recorded a documentary in our Dixon facility as an example of proper humane animal practices.
  • Requiring, for over a decade, a comprehensive in-house training program ensuring that our employees know our expected uncompromising standards that animals are treated humanely.

We are proud of the high standards we strive for and uphold at Superior Farms and our employee owners take very seriously any allegations of wrongdoing.

Online Promotion Turns Into Donation For Young Sheep Producers

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December 21, 2016 (Sacramento, CA) – After thoughtful consideration of recipients, Superior Farms is donating $1,000 to the Young Producer Tri Lamb group, which will go through the American Lamb Board. The donation comes from an online program over the summer, where Facebook Fans would like, share or comment on a post. Superior agreed to match a $1 per engagement up to the $1,000 amount.

That particular post got 736 “likes” and 276 “shares”. It was part of a larger campaign during the summer named Lamb OMG (On My Grill) that was encouraging engagement on Facebook and encouraging consumers to grill lamb.

“Most of our posts for this promotion were geared toward consumer contests, but it made sense for us to add a rancher element to the mix,” said Angela Gentry, Marketing Director for Superior. “We are proud to be working with some amazing and progressive sheep ranchers across the country, who are doing all the right things – regenerative grazing, humane handling, and truly working every day to create a sustainable future for the sheep industry. It makes us feel good to give a little back.”

The Young Producer Tri-Lamb group was formed in 2016 by the American Lamb Board (ALB). It includes 4 young American lamb producers that travelled to Australia and New Zealand earlier this year to learn more about the industry from a global perspective. In 2017 the US producers will host producers from Australia and New Zealand and they will travel across the United States touring sheep farms/ranches and lamb industry businesses, including Superior Farms – Dixon. The goal of this group is to allow the producers from the 3 countries to learn from one another to further enhance the sheep industry in each of their respective home countries.

“These producers are the future leaders of the American sheep industry,” said Lesa Eidman, Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability. “Supporting this group financially in its inaugural year is a great opportunity to support their goals of improving and enhancing the sheep and lamb industry in the United States.”

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Superior Farms, with headquarters in Sacramento, California, is an employee-owner processor and marketer of American lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices. Follow on Twitter: @eatlamb

Farmer’s Mark Brand Hits The Market As Antibiotic-Free Supply Increases

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February 16, 2016 (Davis, CA) – Superior Farms recently announced the introduction of Farmer’s Mark American Lamb, a new retail-focused brand that is sourced from lambs that are 100% raised without the use of antibiotics and added hormones.  The first retailer to support this brand of lamb is Raley’s in Northern California.

Superior Farms sources lambs from more than one thousand family farms and ranches across the United States and is dedicated to working with these producers to increase the number of livestock that are raised without the use of antibiotics.  The company realizes that consumers are demanding meat products raised without antibiotics and is cooperatively working with the producers to address those concerns in order to meet demand.

Anders Hemphill, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy said, “We’re excited to offer Farmer’s Mark to our consumers who want to know more about how their food is produced and are looking for meat products that were raised without the use of antibiotics to serve to their families.”

In order to qualify for the program lambs must not have received any antibiotics or ionophores which includes all human medically important antibiotics.    

The company started with what was originally known as the Pure Lamb program in 2006 and has seen incremental growth in the program since its inception.  This growth is due in large part to increased consumer demand for meat products raised without the use of antibiotics.  The introduction of the new Farmer’s Mark brand allows for the product to be differentiated in the meat case, so consumers can make their personal buying choice.

 

The company is committed to the responsible use of antibiotics.  “If lambs fall sick, producers do a great job using their proactive animal health program to properly care for the animal and to bring them back to health,” said Lesa Eidman, Superior Farms Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability.  “If a lamb needs antibiotic treatment we encourage producers to treat them back to health, and to identify that lamb in order for it to be traced so that it doesn’t qualify for this program, and the withdrawal period is met.”

Superior Farms is proud to be an employee-owned company working with American family farms to provide the best quality lamb to American consumers.

The product became available February 8, just in time for the Lamb Lovers Month promotion by the American Lamb Board. For more information contact anders.hemphill@bobm136.sg-host.com.

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Superior Farms, with headquarters in Davis, California, is an employee-owner processor and marketer of American lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices. Follow on Twitter: @eatlamb