44: Scaling Up Soy- and Corn-Free Pastured Chickens

Dirt Rich

When Jared and Valerie Luhman's customers started requesting soy- and corn-free chicken, they decided to try making some changes to the way they raised their flock on pasture in order to see how they might sustainably meet this demand at a larger scale.

Grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and SARE supported upgrading their chicken tractor, feeding and watering infrastructure, and studying various outcomes of corn- and soy-free birds with birds eating corn- and soy-based feed. As their final report comes together, the Luhmans share the results of the project (including some nutritional analysis of the butchered birds), general observations of bird health and customer response, and more. For those considering adding this kind of enterprise to their farm, they have lots of recommendations for resources and considerations as you plan.

Resources:

Days Fed vs Average Butchered Weight Chart SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Minnesota Department of Agriculture AGRI Grant Greenbook 2021 - The Luhmans' project objectives begin on page 18.

Valerie Luhman, Grassfed Cattle Co.

Jared Luhman, SFA Soil Health Lead

The viewpoints of the speakers expressed within or outside of this episode do not necessarily reflect the goals and mission of SFA.

Dirt Rich is produced by the Sustainable Farming Association.

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