Our Bison
OUR BISON'S LINEAGE
The Big Horn Bison herds are largely sourced from the Turner Exchange Ranching Systems, and other quality Ranching Systems. To ensure the conservation of The Great American Bison’s genetics, Big Horn Bison has specifically purchased Yellowstone Bulls and Heifers. As our herds begin to grow, Big Horn Bison plans to ethically test their DNA to ensure the natural production of Bison is effective in conserving the genetic diversity of the soon-to-be extinct North American Bison. Big Horn Bison expects our herds to be some of the most genetically diverse herds in North America over the coming years.
Acquiring our Bison from the TEI’s privately owned Yellowstone Herd is a big step forward for the genetic diversity of the Great North American Bison conservation efforts in establishing The Big Horn Bison Ranching System.
TEI’S YELLOWSTONE HERD
Turner Enterprises (TEI) maintains the only privately-owned herd of Yellowstone National Park derived bison.
The seed stock of TEI’s Yellowstone herd was acquired through a unique public-private partnership begun in 2010, when 88 publicly owned Yellowstone bison that would otherwise have been slaughtered were moved to the Flying D Ranch and allowed to grow and reproduce for five years. The five-year period was to allow Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks time to complete a feasibility study for wild bison to disperse outside Yellowstone National Park. In exchange for providing a home and care for the public’s animals for five years, Turner Enterprises retained a portion of the offspring of the original animals. These offspring are the basis of TEI’s Yellowstone herd.
The Yellowstone herd is managed for its unique conservation values and to maintain the genetic diversity of this original remnant of wild bison. The herd was moved from Montana to Deer Creek Ranch in January 2019 to allow more space for the herd to grow. The short-term goal is to allow the herd to grow to Deer Creek Ranch’s carrying capacity, while maintaining the genetic diversity (allelic diversity and heterozygosity) of the herd. All females are kept in the herd at this time to allow maximum herd growth. The bull to cow ratio is kept high and bulls are moved from the herd at 3.5 years of age, allowing the opportunity for many sires to breed. Herd genetics are monitored to determine parentage and evaluate genetic diversity.
Our Herds
ABOUT OUR HERDS
Our herd presently consists of 300 bison of which 260 are breeding age females (cows).
Cows average 1,050 pounds and have an annual calf crop of over 90 percent. A male bison (bull) weighs in at around 1,800 to more than 2,000 pounds between ages 5 and 6. Cows are checked for pregnancy in November. Their calves are born in April and May, weighing about sixty pounds and normally weaned in November.
The excess animals not needed to maintain the breeding herd are used for meat or to grow other herds. Our bison are very selectively sold to restaurants and supermarkets all over the world.
As a member of the National Bison Association, our herd is raised in accordance with the NBA’s Code of Ethics, which was established to ensure the humane and sustainable raising of the American bison, as well as specifically prohibiting crossbreeding bison with any other species of animal.
NBA TYPES OF BISON OPERATIONS
There are many segments of the bison industry, which are very similar to that of other livestock sectors. Some run cow-calf operations and sell their weaned calves each fall. Other producers specialize in breeding stock. Some producers raise bison from birth through processing, “gate to plate”, and then market the meat themselves. There are hundreds of plants around the country approved for USDA inspection of bison. Other producers utilize qualified state-inspected plants to process their animals. Further, there are marketers and brokers who buy finished animals and then market the meat themselves. Bison auctions have a season that runs from November to March and are located across the country to buy and sell live bison. The NBA’s Event Calendar lists many bison auctions during the year.
CONSERVING THE UNIQUE GENETICS OF YELLOWSTONE BISON
Yellowstone bison are unique in that they represent the last remaining truly wild, ecologically viable, genetically pure, wide-ranging population of plains bison in existence. As such, we believe that wild Yellowstone bison that have been certified as disease-free through an appropriate and science-driven quarantine process, are the most suitable source for restoring bison populations elsewhere in Montana and North America. GYC has long advocated against the slaughter of Yellowstone bison and we believe it is an unacceptable approach to wild bison management, whether for perceived disease risks or population control. Using Yellowstone bison to establish conservation herds may also provide a much needed “pressure release valve” that helps to manage population numbers at the same time it restores bison to their native ranges while preserving the rare and unique Yellowstone bison genome.
Protecting the Species
Using disease-free Yellowstone bison to establish conservation herds will not only contribute to the conservation and restoration of the species but it will also…
1) Serve as an alternative to shipping bison to slaughter,
2) Support the culture and nutrition of Native Americans, and
3) Help preserve the unique Yellowstone bison genome.
The EA analyzes three alternatives to evaluate such a program at one or more new quarantine facilities, which could be located within Yellowstone National Park, on tribal lands, or elsewhere. The NPS preferred alternative includes conducting a quarantine program on the Fort Peck Reservation where there is already a facility built and they are ready to receive bison.
Regardless of the facility location, we support a quarantine program if it’s done right. Outlined below are our concerns and suggestions for the proposed Environmental Assessment (EA).
The quarantine and translocation program should be science-driven and appropriately managed with opportunity for public engagement.
The quarantine and translocation program should not guide Yellowstone bison management or come at the expense of continuing efforts to expand habitat for bison to use year-round outside the Park.
Quarantine and translocation should only be considered a tool when bison removals are deemed necessary and all fair-chase hunting opportunities have been exhausted. Additionally, it should be used only to protect genetic diversity and expand wild bison populations in appropriate areas. Regardless of the facility location or managing authority, there should be a clear commitment to transfer bison to public and tribal lands within the historic range of plains bison for conservation and cultural purposes. Priority should be given to sites committed to managing bison as “wildlife” on a large landscape and that keep wild bison in the public trust.
The quarantine area should be sufficiently large enough (something on the order of several thousand acres) to allow bison to freely move and maintain their wild character.
Bison should spend the minimum time required (as science dictates) in quarantine to ensure disease-free status.
There should be a clear process for what happens to bison once they have completed quarantine and appropriate restoration sites selected and management plans in place before bison enter quarantine.
Raising Bison
BISON PER ACRE & FENCING
There is no simple answer to the question of bison stocking rates. The types of forage, soil quality, water, environment and other factors directly affect the number of animals you can maintain on a given acreage. 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. 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. Remember, an adult animal eats more than a young animal and a lactating cow eats more than a non-lactating cow.
Fencing on bison ranches and farms varies greatly. Some folks use a good taut cattle fence while some build fortresses. The preference is somewhere in-between. What works for one person may not work for you. 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. Exterior fences should be of prime importance. Interior or cross fencing is also important, but some producers can get by with a lesser quality. Many producers recommend an exterior fence of six feet. If a bison can get his nose over the fence and wants to be out, it has the ability to do so as grown bulls can make a standing six foot jump, if so inclined. Electric fence is common as well and bison will typically learn to respect a hot wire. Also keep in mind that calves can crawl under fences if too high, however wildlife should be able to pass through without getting caught. 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.
Bison are not domesticated animals and require different handling than cattle and other livestock. Many bison producers agree with the saying “You can get a bison to go anywhere it wants to go.” Bison are much more nervous and excitable in close quarters, which are indicators of stress. As such work bison slower, calmer and more quietly than you would other livestock. Handling facilities will need to be stronger and taller than pasture fences. 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. One of the best ways to determine facility needs is to talk and visit with other producers and attend bison association conferences and workshops.
Consistency is very important to the foodservice industry. Marketers want to be assured that producers provide consistent size, age, and quality of steaks and other cuts of bison meat.