
The URG began researching the feasibility of a cooperative within the rabbit meat industry over the past several years. They studied all manner of cooperatives, nutritional research, marketing analysis and applicable statutes and regulations.
In March of 2001 they decided that they had reached the point (as well as the opportune time in the marketing arena) to start calling on growers, processors, and industry professionals to determine their willingness to participate in a rabbit meat cooperative.
To say that they have received a warm welcome would be a gross understatement. Their initial goal was to organize growers within the immediate five-state area within the coming year.
They have been amazed and enormously pleased since March 1, 2001 they have been contacted by people and companies willing to participate in this cooperative from 42 states and 3 provinces in Canada.
They seek to establish fair trade and promote the use of rabbit meat as nutritional and wholesome meat. It is an ideal meat from the livestock production standpoint, in that vast quantities of rabbit meat can be raised in a short time and a relatively small area with little to no significant environmental impact.
Virtually every part of the carcass is useable, from the meat to the hide. The meat is easily digestible, the hides are suitable for tanning purposes, there is a ready market for the biological products (brains, blood, etc...) and even the by-products are further utilized in pet food manufacturing.
Commercial rabbit meat outperforms most other livestock ventures. It is more profitable, takes less land, and if you do have a serous disaster you can recover much more quickly than with other forms of livestock.
Over one-half of the participating growers use their rabbit income as alternative agriculture income. The participating members of the cooperative have pledged their support in both in-kind contributions of actual man-hours spent working for the cooperative and financial pledges.
Rolin Farms is a proud member of the United Rabbit Growers!
Route 2, Box 77
Exeter, MO 65647
Phone: 417-652-3334
E-mail: rolin@mo-net.com