Bison breeders must work hard to develop their own markets, but several marketing tools are available. Big Buck Heaven: Deer Farm Production: 18: Jun 25th 2011 09:18 AM: Number of deer per acre: Spinpro: Deer Farm Production: 2: Mar 18th 2011 03:35 PM: 30 acre deer pen? Q: Is a bison considered a ruminant, meaning do they chew a cud as a cow would? Bulls can live to about 20 years of age. The NBA’s Event Calendar lists many bison auctions during the year. Many producers recommend an exterior fence of six feet. State and Regional Associations. While many ranchers today are testing their herds to selectively remove those traces, they are also careful not to eliminate important bison genetics that survived the “bottleneck” of near-extinction in the late 1800’s. Here are some general guidelines for bison slaughter weights: There are many segments of the bison industry, which are very similar to that of other livestock sectors. Fencing on bison ranches and farms varies greatly. The herd numbers at about 3,500-head. BISON WORLD MAGAZINE NEWS & EVENTS BISON STORE, National Bison Association MEDIA RESOURCES Because bison are still considered a wild animal, you should plan a strong corral-chute system appropriate for your location and expected herd size. The preference is somewhere in-between. 1877 Bison were crossed on short-horn dairy cattle and produced successfully 14 quarts of very rich milk, per day. Each animal has its own distinct personality. 8690 Wolff Ct. #200 Q: How many bison could be grazed per acre? Fax: (303) 845-9081, Anita Shaver William Hornaday, writing in 1889, reduced the estimate of the herd Dodge described to 4 million animals. State and Regional Associations. A: Bison will do well in most types of pasture. They winter well on native grasses and prairie hay. Q: What is the average life span of a bison? Raising Bison You can always stock less animals. Bison are happiest in large spaces. Many farms claim to be 100% grass-fed, but they graze many non-grass plants like alfalfa and clover (legumes), turnips and sugar beets (brasicas), and oats, rye, wheat, and barley (small grains). Bison are much more nervous and excitable in close quarters, which are indicators of stress. State and national bison associations often have booths and provide marketing information at agricultural events. Some run cow-calf operations and sell their weaned calves each fall. Some producers raise bison from birth through processing, “gate to plate”,  and then market the meat themselves. Total Number of Animals (total acreage = 20 ac) x (average yield per acre 9,500 lb/ac) Q: How many bison could be grazed per acre? One of the best ways to determine facility needs  is to talk and visit with other producers and attend bison association conferences and workshops. In this article I’ll give you a range of stocking rates for several Texas regions AND tell you how to determine how many cattle your land can support, no matter where you are in the U.S.! NBA activities and services serve to better inform and educate members and the general public about bison. NBA Resources Bison can jump 6 feet vertically and more than 7 feet horizontally. In fact, our Code of Ethics specifically prohibits members from deliberately crossbreeding bison with another species. In addition, the novelty of bison herds usually attracts attention in the loca… A: It varies from tribe to tribe. A: Bison have coarse guard hairs and a soft wool undercoat. Q: What is the gestation period for a female bison? Find the right membership for you, see member benefits. How to Use the AUM Estimator . A: Just as lions and tigers can be tamed by professional animal trainers, bison can also be trained. One AUM is one twelfth of an AU or the amount of feed that one mature cow will consume in … NBA MEMBER CENTER Often, the creation legends of the tribes included the bison. The name grew distorted as “buffle”, “buffler”, “buffillo”, and, eventually, “buffalo”. MEDIA RESOURCES A bull is in with the cows all the time. The amount of land that you have for your farm is going to dictate how many bison you can have. BISON STORE, National Bison Association For a full herd, you may need to look at a purchase of land that is 100 acres or more. The four bison basics are food, family, water and common sense. Q: What Regulations Govern the Inspection of Bison Sold into the Commercial Retail and Restaurant Marketplace? Any product labeled as buffalo milk, or buffalo cheese is produced from the milk of water buffalo. BISON WORLD MAGAZINE 19 acre deer farm for sale in central Alabama: jroy7642: Farms and Ranches: 3: Sep 16th 2014 11:03 AM: How many deer do you keep per acre? You may find that you can run more bison per acre, however, it is best to start out with a safe number and adjust as you go. Q: What is the National Bison Association? Note: Output will be in Animal Unit Months (AUMs) for the entire parcel being estimated. Bison can also run speeds up to 35 miles per hour. In the wild, bison move about two miles per day to graze. A: Bison are not domestic animals and should be treated with caution and respect. 8690 Wolff Ct. #200 Electric fence is common as well and bison will typically learn to respect a hot wire. Many bison producers agree with the saying “You can get a bison to go anywhere it wants to go.”. Q: What is the approximate birth weight of a bison calf? Current Status PRODUCERS However, common usage has made the term “buffalo” an acceptable synonym for the American bison. Q: How many bison live in Yellowstone National Park? A: This depends on local conditions such as growing season and annual rainfall. Under normal conditions, cows have their calves from mid-April through June. About 5 acres of land can support one or two fully grown bison. This includes planting, fertilizing, weed management, when to put the bison in the pasture and when to take them off (We have several pastures we rotate them through), and when to … On a smaller acreage, bison can be kept happy through pasture rotation. Susceptible to the many diseases cattle are prone to, ranchers, at a minimum, will always vaccine and will create a routine deworming program. NBA MEMBER CENTER Acres of Pasture Needed (11) x (1200 lb) x (.04) x (365) = 192,720 20 acres (9,500 lb/ac) 9,500 = Let’s start with how many animals should be on our example farm. Also, the National Bison Association offers a Bison online training that is free to all NBA members to participate in. Phone: (303) 292-2833 NBA PARTNERS Raising Bison We have to manage our grass to get this. Why Join Also, how many acres do you need per bison? These industry veterans are always ready and welcome newcomers into the community of bison producers. Stocking Rates in Texas vary from 1 cow per acre on heavily managed pasture in the Eastern portion of the state to 1 cow per 150 acres (4 cows per section) in the Trans Pecos Region of the state. Learn more about the NBA’s concerns in truth in labeling regarding the term “buffalo”, A: In the seventeenth century, French explorers in North America referred to the new species they encountered as “les boeufs”, meaning oxen or beeves. As such work bison slower, calmer and more quietly than you would other livestock. A: 20-25 years for female animals. A: Scientifically, the term “buffalo” is incorrect for the North American species; its proper Latin name is Bison bison. Some of those individuals experimented briefly with crossbreeding bison and cattle. The normal diet of Bison is native range grasses; however, they eat many things cattle do not. They can be supplemented during this time with “range cake” if desired. A: Female bison breed when they are two years old and have their first calves when they are three. Other producers specialize in breeding stock. Bison are not milked commercially for a couple of reasons. Nothing is further from the truth. Bison Per Acre & Fencing. Not all of the pasture land that is available to you may be suitable for bison grazing. History and Mission of the National Bison Association, membership to the National Bison Association. Q: how many bison can you have per acre? While the exact acreage needed will depend on the quality of your land, you may need to figure on several acres per head, so a herd of twenty bison could easily demand sixty acres of grazing land or more. Bison are efficient converters of feed but the National Bison Association recommends that the animal unit per acre formula of range feeding be the same for bison as cattle. Prime processing age is 24 to 30 months if you are considering calves. Why Join However, many of the tribes relied on bison not just for meat, but for shelter, clothing, and a source of utensils, tools, etc. AUM per acre = (0.25 AUM per acre) x 1.5 = 0.38 AUM per acre. Water buffalo are a separate species, and are not related to bison, even though American bison are commonly known as buffalo. Close evaluation of grazing will determine if the stocking rate can be increased. The types of forage, soil quality, water, environment and other factors directly affect the number of animals you can maintain on a given acreage. Members will also receive the NBA’s renowned trade journal, Bison World, as well as our weekly electronic news service, the “Weekly Update”, which contains the most up to date industry news available today. A: This depends on local conditions such as growing season and annual rainfall. The National Bison Association is dedicated to maintaining the integrity species. The types of forage, soil quality, water, environment and other factors directly affect the number of animals you can maintain on a given acreage. My Bison eat more REAL grass than most of the Beef marketed as 100% grass-fed. The resulting offspring did not display any “hybrid vigor,” so those individuals quickly abandoned the practice. Q: How many bison are there in the Bison Paddock in Golden Gate Park? Further, there are marketers and brokers who buy finished animals and then market the meat themselves. Cows generally have one calf per year, but twins may occur very rarely. manding premium prices since many bison producers are still building their herds. Testimonials A: “Most” ranchers will recommend 1 bison per acre, but that depends on what your 1 acre is like. A: A mature bison bull will weigh approximately 2,000 pounds while a mature bison cow will weigh approximately 1,100 pounds. Example 1: Calculating the number of pasture acres needed for your herd. The fourth basic, common sense, is a human element and bison-basic that can be regionally deficient. Don’t think you can simply make a go of bison farming on a small-scale hobby farm with a half-acre lot. A: No. Allow for the same amount of pasture per bison as is required for cattle in your area, usually 2 to 3 acres per cow and calf in the eastern United States. Marketers want to be assured that producers provide consistent size, age, and quality of steaks and other cuts of bison meat. Q: Does buffalo milk or buffalo cheese (mozarella) come from bison? Many farms claim to be 100% grass-fed, but they graze many non-grass plants like alfalfa and clover (legumes), turnips and sugar beets (brasicas), and oats, rye, wheat, and barley (small grains). Bison by the Numbers, ABOUT US Bison auctions have a season that runs from November to March and are located across the country to buy and sell live bison. Bison steaks & burgers are growing in popularity, but where do they come from? Testimonials Assume: -18 to 22 inch annual precipitation zone-Excellent pasture condition class (2.00 AUM/acre)-Grazing season 165 days (5.5 months)-80 bison cow/calf pairs (80 AU) Required pasture = AU x Months Grazing/AUM/acre = 80 x 5.5/2.0 = 220 acres for the season 1878 when the buffaloes were being slaughtered all around her, this lady (Mrs. Goodnight) conceived the idea of … Handling facilities will need to be stronger and taller than pasture fences. Three to four bison per acre of grassland is typical, according to the Texas Bison Association. If YES, follow steps listed below. This could equate to as much as $10,000 to $20,000+ for the animals alone. A: They normally weigh between 40 to 50 pounds. Find the right membership for you, see member benefits. (from The American Buffalo in Transition, by J. Albert Rorabacher.)=. What works for one person may not work for you. Other producers utilize qualified state-inspected plants to process their animals. Q: How many bison are there in North America? The NBA is a non-profit association which promotes the preservation, production, and marketing of bison. Breeders can advertise in association magazines, local newspapers, and agricultural publications. A: Bison meat contains 2.42 grams of fat, 143 calories, and 82 milligrams of cholesterol per 100 grams of cooked lean meat. Active and Life members will receive the 2nd Edition of the Bison Producers’ Handbook, our single best selling product, free of charge, a $40 value. Your facility for capturing, sorting, treating, testing, loading out, or confining your bison should be strong, long lasting, cost efficient, bison-specific  and, most importantly, safe for you and your animals. Question: Is a soil survey available for the parcel to be calculated? Q: Where did the word “buffalo” come from? The bison naturally became a spiritual focus for many American Indian tribes. Currently, very few bison heifer calves are slaughtered. If we put 300 head on 160 acres (a typical quarter section of land in Canada or the USA) using a paddock system of 0.5 acres (320 paddocks) then the calculated stocking rate is ((300*750)/0.5) = 450,000 lb/acre. Membership Options, A Growing, Profitable Business 20 bison per acre in the herd. Cows can live to be 20-25 years old having a calf each year under the right conditions. A: Some news stories -erroneously state that buffalo ranchers mix their animals with cattle to produce meat for the marketplace. A: Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, bison are classified as an exotic, or “non-amenable species,” and thus operate under some unique regulatory provisions.All bison marketed into the commercial marketplace must be processed in an FDA-approved facility. 1878 Bison in Canada were disappearing rapidly. Make a plan that takes into account the number of acres needed per bison. ... age productive capacity of 0.32 AUM/acre (Animal Unit Months per acre). Further, the top line of your fence should be at or above a bison’s line of vision, as that will act as a deterrent as well. Current Status Q: What is the nutritional value of bison? I have been diagnosing, … The NBA has members in all 50 states and 10 countries. Q: How many bison could be grazed per acre? (from Buffalo Nation, by Valerius Geist.). Westminster, CO 80031 The bison gave birth to 10 calves in 2017, and 10 additional bison were brought from South Dakota to join the herd. Supplement the Diet. To get started, bison require companionship, which often means purchasing five to 15 bison at once. Q: What would be the best type of grass to graze bison on? The introductory training allows students to work through various modules to learn the history of the animal and industry, some basics about bison management, and information on mitigating risk in the bison business. NBA Resources misinformation, negative press and cattlemen rumors. Your local county extension agent, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, university’s agricultural extension office, and local beef or dairy producers can all help you determine the carrying capacity of your acreage as it will be comparable to grazing cattle. Phone: (303) 292-2833 Q: Do ranchers cross-breed bison with cattle? Bison producers/processors may also request “voluntary inspection” services from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspections Service (FSIS) or from a an accredited state-inspection program which offers inspection “at least equal” to USDA. Q: What is the difference between bison and buffalo? They eat a wider range of items than cattle and will roam the entire pasture while eating. Fax: (303) 845-9081, Anita Shaver First, the teats on female bison are very small. Canada repealed the 1877 law. (One square mile is 640 acres.) NBA Committee Chairs Many bison today still carry small traces of cattle genetics from that period in history. Also, bison are undomesticated animals, and the females do not adapt well to the type of handling necessary in a milking operation. They are usually up and walking or running with their mothers within a couple hours of being born. Some folks use a good taut cattle fence while some build fortresses. There is no simple answer to the question of bison stocking rates. The herd roams free in a 1,060-acre pasture at Kankakee Sands , where hiking is prohibited for safety reasons but a viewing area and interpretive area are available to see America’s National Mammal. at this time and males weigh around 425 lbs. PRODUCERS NBA Committee Chairs He moves the buffalo in two groups of 20 and 25 head each: the cows and their calves, and the yearlings. Consistency is very important to the food service industry. There are hundreds of plants around the country approved for USDA inspection of bison. A: Bison calves are normally weaned when they are around six months old. Ultimately, it boils down to management and keeping bison well fed, watered in a good social mix thereby not giving them an excuse to leave the fenced area. Bison World Design and Production Manager, NBA Board of Directors  A: This depends on local conditions such as growing season and annual rainfall. (from The American Buffalo in Transition, by J. Albert Rorabacher.) Sustainability – Raising bison is a highly sustainable form of agricultural production because: a) It requires fewer inputs than nearly any other form of agriculture and leaves a minimal footprint on the natural environment; and, b) The nutritional benefits of bison have resulted in a growing consumer demand for bison meat at prices which ensure the economic viability of bison farms and ranches. Bison World Design and Production Manager, NBA Board of Directors  Females generally weigh around 350 lbs. Raising Bison is more than a hobby or a passing fad; it is a viable industry. As a member of the National Bison Association, we can also connect potential producers with a bison mentor in their region. "Bisonguards" on the preserve are 14 feet wide which is double the standard width of a cattleguard. A: The gestation period for the American bison is 9 1/2 months. NEWS & EVENTS The English, arriving later, changed the pronunciation to “la buff”. A: “Most” ranchers will recommend 1 bison per acre, but that depends on what your 1 acre is like. This is the maximum number of animals. NBA PARTNERS The National Bison Association recommends calling your local county extension agent, finding out how many beef cattle are recommended, and using that stocking rate to determine the number of bison. History and Mission of the National Bison Association. My Bison know that these "other" plants do not count as grass. A great place to start is with a membership to the National Bison Association. Interior or cross fencing is also important, but some producers can get by with a lesser quality. Pamphlets printed by the associations or individual breeders also provide examples of how to market bison products. Bison are not domesticated animals and require different handling than cattle and other livestock. Testimonials Also keep in mind that calves can crawl under fences if too high, however wildlife should be able to pass through without getting caught. In our area, grass can carry one adult bison (or beef cow) per 3-4 acres ON AVERAGE. However, bison are not domestic animals. If NO There is no simple answer to the question of bison stocking rates. These facilities are required to comply with all FDA regulations, as well as with the FSIS regulations regarding sanitation. In 1970, F. Roe reworked the numbers from both A: Yellowstone has the largest free roaming bison population in the world. The NBA has all you need to start raising these magnificent animals. A: The National Bison Association (NBA) represents over 1,000 members who raise over 250,000 head of bison. Q: How many calves will a bison have in her lifetime? A: Bison do well on a wide variety of grasses and most native grassed in the United States and Canada.