FORT FAIRFIELD — It has been a big year for Lucerne Farms of Maine, and it’s about to get even bigger. A successful, vertically integrated producer of specialty formulated, value-added hay products, Lucerne Farms expects to enjoy its most productive year since its founding more than two decades ago.
Company officials said that growth and success also present a major opportunity for the right person or persons, as one of the firm’s principal founding partners is set to retire in January 2016, leaving an opening for qualified replacement management or ownership.
“Lucerne Farms is having a banner harvest of alfalfa and timothy hay, more than 10 percent over last year’s record harvest,” said company Vice President Allen White, who is poised to retire. He attributed the record yield to a combination of favorable conditions, upgraded equipment and the company’s ever-improving farming techniques.
Lucerne Farms handles the farming, processing, marketing and distribution of its products, all of which incorporate proprietary, company-developed processing methods. White and his partner, company president Richard James, operate the business. Lucerne was founded over 20 years ago when James’ father, Dr. George James, introduced the concept of chopped, high-temperature-dried, bagged equine forage to the United States. Over the years it has become a leading provider of value-added hay products.
The vertical integration is a plus for customers. “For instance,” said James, “when horse owners call Lucerne Farms, they speak with the people who actually grow the forage, as well as process this naturally good feed for their horse.”
Lucerne Farms forage is a grain complement, fiber supplement and hay replacement. Each of the company’s blends contains a special mixture of Northern-grown forage to help meet the needs of horses at every level and every stage of life. “Our unique drying process allows us to effectively ‘lock-in’ nutrients that are lost during the traditional sun-curing process, while eliminating harmful mold spores,” explained James. Chopped to 1-3 inches in length, each bag is dust extracted and blended with either soybean oil or molasses and then compressed into a convenient 2.4 cu. ft. bag.
The company currently produces two other principal product lines: lawn and garden mulch and the recently launched “Koop Clean” bedding for backyard chickens. Each of Lucerne Farm’s product lines has unique attributes and is a market leader in its niche, noted White.
Although the company was founded in New England and has a well-established East Coast distribution, its products have also found their way to other parts of the country.
“We’re poised now for an unprecedented national expansion,” said James. “Our newly expanded distribution network finally reaches the entire country. Meanwhile I want to recognize the countless contributions as well as the valued guidance and support from my longtime partner, Allen White. His retirement marks not an end, but a beginning of a new phase for Lucerne Farms.”
Both James and White see a bright future for Lucerne Farms, particularly as consumers become much more aware of the importance of “knowing your farmer.” And, Lucerne Farms will always have a special place in its heart for its original consumer base: horse lovers. Whether the sun shines or not, Lucerne Farms will always be making hay.
For more information about Lucerne Farms visit www.lucernefarms.com.
