Mountain States Lamb Cooperative and B. Rosen & Sons, Inc. Join Forces.

Business Editors

NEW YORK & CASPER, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2003

Create Major Vertically-Integrated American Lamb Supplier

A new business venture is revolutionizing lamb marketing in the United States. Mountain States/Rosen LLC (MSR) today announced that Mountain States Lamb Cooperative, representing sheep producers from ten states, and B. Rosen & Sons Inc., a three-generation lamb and veal processor and distributor, have formed a new company. The new entity pairs the finest American-grown lamb with the nation's number one fabricator and supplier.

The venture is unprecedented, and allows the MSR team to oversee all phases of the supply chain, from farm to fabrication, on to the retailer and other distribution channels including restaurants, hotels, institutions and cruise lines. MSR customers will enjoy the finest in fresh American lamb, marketed under the existing Cedar Springs(R) brand name.

"This is one of the most significant partnerships formed in the history of the American lamb industry," said Bruce Rosen, President of B. Rosen & Sons. "We are thrilled that our vision for creating a vertically-integrated lamb supplier has come to fruition. Our new company will have exclusive access to the Mountain States Lamb Cooperative lambs, enabling us to bring our customers a steady, year-round supply of fresh, high-quality, high-yield American lamb products -- eliminating traditional seasonal shortages."

"The Cooperative producers are excited by this partnership with B. Rosen & Sons," said Pat O'Toole, from Mountain States Lamb Cooperative. "We know that our lambs, raised on mountain pastures, are the best in the world. Now, with the marketing and distribution expertise of Rosen, we can be sure that our lambs go to the finest markets and restaurants, and to consumers who enjoy quality lamb. It is a win-win situation for all."

Extensive Product Line

Mountain States/Rosen will continue to market the widest variety of all-natural value-added products for both retail and food service. "This partnership will enable us to bring No-Antibiotic-No-Hormone lamb products to the nationwide marketplace. These products will be source-verified, from birth to fabrication. No other lamb provider in the country can offer that assurance," explained David Gage, Vice President, B. Rosen & Sons. "In addition, we plan to unveil a line of organic lamb products in the future."

B. Rosen & Sons is well known for its quality veal products. In addition to special emphasis on lamb products, the new company will market an expanded line of Cedar Springs (R) Nature Veal to its retail and HRI customers.

The new management team includes leaders from both Mountain States Lamb Cooperative and B. Rosen & Sons. Customers can expect a seamless transition with no change in contacts or purchasing procedures.

Rosen & Sons, Inc. has been providing Lamb and Veal products in the United States for more than 50 years. With operations in New York and Colorado, they have resources to supply the industry with the finest and freshest lamb nationwide under the Cedar Springs(R) brand. For more information, please check www.usalamb.com.

Mountain States Lamb Cooperative is a producer-owned, driven and controlled Cooperative representing lamb producers in ten states including Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Utah, California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and South Dakota.