Welcome to Mountain State Lamb

Lamb is for Lovers

Looking for a Valentine's gift for someone special? consider a Mountain States All-Natural Lamb Sampler. This gift pack includes 12 4 oz chops, an 8 rib frenched rack, and 2 butterflied legs. The meat is shipped frozen in a cooler box via UPS. The cost for members is $98 plus shipping.

This special gift only takes a few minutes of your time. For Valentine's Day, the gifts will be shipped the week of February 9, so we need orders in the office by February 5. Just give us a call with the recipient's name, physical address and a contact number. We will bill you after the meat is shipped.

We also have cases of All-Natural frenched racks, chops, and butterflied legs available if you are interested in sending a larger gift.

A number of our members used these cases as gifts over the holidays and throught he past year with excellent response.

Let's Visit

For those members attending the ASI convention please join us for refreshements and meet Mountain States Rosen's new CEO, Dennis Stiffler. We will be in the "Ashley" room at the Marriott from 4:30-6 pm on Friday, January 23.

Top Lambs

The top December lambs were marketed by EPH Jensen of Trementon, Utah. The load was 99% yield grade 2's and 3's. They earned an average of $7.60 in grid premiums per head. The lambs were fed at Harper Feedlot.

The average lamb marketed through Mountain States Lamb in December earned $4.88 in grid premiums and the average pelt returned $6.88.

Mountain States Rosen Update

In early December, Mountain States Rosen was awarded a contract with USDA for delivery of 72,000 pounds of lamb shoulder. The delivery took place earlier this month at a price of approximately $273,000. The meat is delivered in federal food and nutrition programs. Mountain States Rosen was the only vendor awarded a contract in this invitation.

Despite the economy, meat sales remain steady. The demand from the HRI (Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional) trade has softened with the economy, but MSR continues to expand the case ready business.

The industry as a whole was not able to move the volume of meat they needed during the holiday season and as a result there has recently been a surplus of market-ready lambs. The Co-op has stayed fairly current, but continues to work with our meat company to move our supply as quickly as possible.

Bruce Rosen has recently announced his retirement from MSR. The Co-op thanks Bruce for his years of service to Mountain States Rosen and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

ANNUAL MEETING

Our annual meeting will be held July 15 through the 17th at the Flying Saddle Resort in beautiful Alpine, Wyoming.

Alpine is located 37 miles southwest of Jackson. Learn more about the resort at on the web at www.flyingsaddleresort.com.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us. This will be a great place to bring the whole family. Watch the newsletter for further details later this spring.

Important Producer Reminders

Colorado check-off requests for December must be submitted by the deadline.

Please remember that when you send natural lambs to the feedlot they should be accompanied by a 2009 Natural Affidavit. A copy should also be faxed or sent to the Co-op office.

We need to have a COOL affidavit on file for each producer. You only need to complete this form one time.

Once a year we need a quality assurance affidavit from each producer. Also, if any of your payment information changes please notify us as soon as possible. If you need the forms or have questions call the office.

Sign up with your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) for your Wool and Unshorn Pelt Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP). Producers can complete page one of form CCC633 EZ. This will indicate your intent to receive an LDP for this crop year and cover the beneficial-interest provision for wool and unshorn pelts. You should do so as soon as possible to insure eligibility.

When you are ready to request the LDP, page four of the form can be completed to apply for payment on unshorn lambs. For additional details contact your local FSA office. The deadline for the 2008 crop year is January 31, 2009.