BY FARMING under organic and ‘minimalistic’ principles, American beef, sheep and grain producer Hank Wills has been able to target a niche market which provides the premiums to make a small area operation viable in a country where ‘big’ agriculture dominates.
Mr Wills run the 50 hectare “Prairie Turnip” in Osage County, Kansas, producing a labelled beef and sheep meat product, and heirloom corn, direct to consumers, plus running a fourth generation seed business.
His journey down the organic path was influenced as much by the way he wanted to work as by the goal of targeting a lucrative market.
“With a background in molecular biology I understand what regular exposure to chemicals can do to human health,” he said.
“I was also aware that some people are willing to pay a premium for organic, up to 25 per cent for what I am producing, because it’s seen as paying for health care upfront.
“There is a growing element of society in Kansas, and the Unites States in general, who believe strongly in the right to feed our families with chemical-free food.
“Th at subset sees big agriculture as dependent on government subsidies and the programs of chemical companies and wants to support an alternative.
“From the farmer’s perspective, if all you want to do is run machines, that type of agriculture is fine but if you want more out of farming, if you want to be working with the land, this is an option.”
“Prairie Turnip” runs Highland cattle, grass-finished at 30 months with a hanging weight of 320 kilograms or 600 to 700 pounds.
Most sales are whole beasts and happen via word-of-mouth because that is the best way the story of how the food is produced can be conveyed.
“To a section of our society, knowing where their food is coming from and my philosophies on how the animals are raised is important,” Mr Wills said.
“They want to feel good about supporting a farming family and they also want the nutritional benefits of organic food.”
On the sheep side, 100 ewes are rotationally grazed on cool and warm season planted grass with some hay supplementation but no grain.
“We have a large track of native prairie grasses and legumes with deep roots that perform even under drought conditions,” Mr Wills said.
Th e breed has been developed to thrive under “Prairie Turnip’s” particular environment, with mostly Katahdim and Corsican content plus some Dorper.
“Katahdim gives a strong ability to cope with all conditions, and, along with Corsican, high parasite resistance,” Mr Wills said.
“For generations I did not treat for parasites and the winners became the foundation of my flock.
“My belief is there is too much meddling in livestock production.
“If we breed more strategically, put together a genetic package that has adapted to, and performs strongly in your particular conditions, there is less need to meddle and naturally, less costs.”
His cost of production per lamb is just $5 and most return around the $150 mark.
The small farm also grows old fashioned or heirloom corn - old flour and flint varieties which Mr Wills grinds on farm to make corn meal.
He has a system where customers email their order on his next trip to town, it is delivered.
“There are good margins in the type of farming I am doing but it all hinges on the marketing, you have to really work at that side,” he said.
