CERTIFIED ORGANIC FEEDS

We are happy to carry Certified Organic Feeds and whole grains.  These are the same feeds that we exclusively feed our own animals.  All feed is ground, mixed, and bagged by Lakeview Organic Grain of Penn Yan NY.  Many of the grains come from the many certified organic acres of grains in Yates County.  Additional organic grain is imported from outside the region when supply does not meet demand.   All grains are USDA certified Organic by accredited certifier ICS/FVO. 

Layer Mash (16% min. protein)  $20.62 ($22.27 w/tax) / 50lb
INGREDIENTS: Certified organic corn, certified organic roasted soybean meal, certified organic oats, crabmeal, aragonite limestone, poultry mineral mix (kelp meal, phosphorus, amino acids, B vitamin complex, trace minerals).

Grower Mash (18% min. protein)  $20.62 ($22.27 w/tax) / 50lb
INGREDIENTS: Certified organic corn, certified organic roasted soybean meal, certified organic oats, crabmeal, poultry mineral mix (kelp meal, phosphorus, amino acids, B vitamin complex, trace minerals), aragonite limestone.

Oats or Barley                       $13.37 ($14.44 w/ tax) 50lb
INGREDIENTS: Certified organic whole oats

Whole Corn               $14.41 ($15.56 w/ tax) / 50lb
INGREDIENTS: Certified organic whole corn   

We occasionally carry hog feed- 80 lb ($28.29 ($30.55 w/tax) Chick Starter ($21.65 ($23.39 w/ tax), and goat/sheep feed-80lb ($28.29 ($30.55 w/tax).

ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE:  Our supplier is doing all then can to keep prices down but they continue to rise.  Most recent prices continue to reflect an increase in transportation, bagging, grinding, and raw ingredient costs.
Kingbird Farm
9398 W. Creek Rd.
Berkshire NY, 13736
607-657-2860

Why are Organic Feed Prices Going Up?

You have probably noticed an increase in meat prices and organic grain/feed prices (if you raise your own meat and eggs).  This is a result of us being charged more by our supplier. So the question then is, why is our supplier charging more?  Our feed price is based on many factors.  The main factor is the price of grain with secondary factors being transportation, and cost of grinding and bagging.   All organic grain prices have dramatically increased since September 2006.  This is generally because of “Market Forces.”
·    Change in interpretation of the Organic Rule:  A change in the interpretation of the USDA’s organic rule made it appealing for many dairy farmers to convert to organic.  The last time that farmers could take advantage of this was in late spring of 2006.  This required these new dairies to begin using 100% organic feed in early 2007 that thus increased the demand for organic grain.  An increase in demand when there was a limited supply led to an increase in prices.
·    The increase in ethanol production.  The production of ethanol from corn has caused the price of conventional corn to double.  This in turn has made conventional corn production more appealing causing fewer farmers to convert their fields to organic purely for economic reasons.  More organic acreage is needed to keep up with an increased demand for organic grain.  Without increased supply, but an increasing demand, prices go up.


The mill tries to insulate itself as much as possible from these market forces by:
·    Contracting ahead and purchasing from local producers
·    Putting in additional storage so they can purchase more at harvest times when prices are lower
·    Having the capacity to purchase large amounts when it is economically advantageous
·    Limiting their growth to be able to take care of their current customers

We also try to insulate ourselves by:
·    Growing animals like beef that need no grain inputs and getting as much nutrition as possible for our other non-ruminant animals.  We do this by focusing most of our production on the time of year when there is pasture and by growing our own crops to feed.  We also use breeds that are good foragers.

We have looked at producing our own grain but found for the limited amount that we would need we could not justify all the equipment, increased land needed, storage, and milling facilities.  So the net effect is increased prices for the consumer. We will do all we can to offer affordable products while continuing to stay in business.

Kingbird Farm
9398 W. Creek Rd.
Berkshire NY, 13736
607-657-2860