Bison Farming For A Beginner

About Bison

Bison are largest land mammals belonging to the bovine family along with cattle, sheep and goats.

This species have horns, feet with two toes, and are ruminants (four stomach chambered animals).  Bison are sometimes called the American Buffalo, originating from Asia.

In history we find that they crossed through ancient land bridge to North America, going as far as Mexico when the European settled.

The European settlers shot them for meat and sport; making them to be extinct in that part of the country. They are believed to be extinct in African.

They are a keystone species that helps create habitat on the Great Plains for many different species which includes grasslands birds and other plants species.

Bison’s hooves aerate the soil indirectly transferring native seeds to other places which promotes a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

Bisons don’t forage in one place which is an advantage because there is no soil erosion where they feed. Their coat shields them from extreme colds especially in winter when it is snowing. 

Domesticating A Bison

Bisons can be domesticated but with a big ‘’IF’’ because they may seem like clam animals but they are very territorial and quickly become agile.

Never judge a bison’s mood by observing the tail as it may hang its tail down switching it naturally and you automatically think it is calm; the tail position can quickly change should the bison feel threatened.

Once that happens; it will charge at you and to be safe just keep a safe distance of 25 yards (23metres) because you can never predict its mood state.

Since they have a larger body structure, they are lethargic animals (lazy behaviour) and once they perceive threatening behaviour they will spin and run. They can run as fast as 35 miles (56 km) per hour and they will keep running for more than hour..

They fair well in a herd so never try to rear a single bison, rather start with about 5 and also consider that they are grazers; a pasture is must. So domesticating bisons could be tricky but if the land is available and has the standards of a bison habitation then you are good to go.

Bison Habitation

 Bisons are good in Great Plains, prairies and forests.  They prefer these places with so much air because they have big lungs hence they need more oxygen.

Though they live in the plains their claves are vulnerable to predators that can kill them such as the mountain lion, wolves, and bears.

How To Raise Bison However, the adult bison have their own deffence mechanism and they use their horns to protect themselves from these predators.

The bison will use their horns to slash the abdominal area or up-end the predator. Abdominal injuries are nearly always fatal for the predators.

The different species and subspecies of bisons have their different behaviours in habitation which when carefully studied, the following has been observed per subspecies;

• Canadian bisons – their range extended across grasslands, shrub-lands, montane meadows, and some wooded areas.
• The semi-wild herd is fenced and occasionally supplementary fed, but it is managed in a way that mirrors natural conditions as closely as possible. The four public display herds are small, intensively managed and do not fluctuate in size.

• Plains bisons – the existing wild plain bison population on federal lands and plains the bison are considered to be extinct on property under provincial jurisdiction.
• They occur in isolated units throughout their historic range as wild, free-ranging populations, as public display herds, or in privately owned game farms. 
• Currently, some bisons are conserved herds that exist in the wild or free-ranging especially in the United States. 

Bison Herder Behaviour

Bison move in a herd but there will be instances where they can be found alone. When the herd is attacked and there are bison calves (called red dogs) in the herd, they will form a line or encircle placing the calves at the centre and fight their way out of danger.

As territorial animals, they also are playful and can tame the herd gently through strong pecking order within the herd suing horns.

The hump holds up the bison’s huge head when it is not eating. This muscle helps the front legs reach out farther for a longer and more efficient running stride.

Bison Diet

Bison diets are selected primarily to minimize foraging time due to their large size; digestion is slow and food remains in the rumen longer, resulting in a more efficient use of the microflora within their digestive tract. Bisons eat mixed-grass prairies in cool season and in warm season they are perennial foragers; during the summer, bison select warm season grasses and during the spring and fall, bison select cool season grasses. 

The native short-, tall-, and mixed-grass prairies that were the plains bison’s main source of forage have largely disappeared, and some areas of bison range have been reconstituted from agricultural land. Feed rations supplied to some of the managed populations also do not reflect the plant species historically eaten by plains bison.

Marketing Basics

When planning to sell bison products, there are things to consider such as;

• Identify the different markets for bison products.
• Know the products to produce and market.
• Know your target market and how to penetrate the market for the products.
• Ensuring that consumers receive quality product.
• Awareness on bison market trends that can affect market demand.

So it is important to establish your market base and the meat products that will sell. Usually the meat is sold as fresh meat, processed meat products, heads, hides and the skull. The products to be marketed will be defined by;

• Developed local consumers and selling individual meat cuts.
• Selling meats to speciality shops such as restaurants and delivering on order basis.
• Deciding to sell fresh or frozen meat.

The other products that are sold are;

• Fur is used for making coats.
• Hide is used in making leather.

The horns are used as ornaments – needs to be buffed and polished.

Here’s a structured and organized list of 10 frequently asked questions for beginners interested in bison farming, along with concise answers:

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10 FAQs on Bison Farming for Beginners

1. What is bison farming, and how does it differ from cattle ranching?
   Bison farming involves raising bison for meat, hides, and breeding. Unlike cattle, bison are wilder, require sturdier fencing, and thrive on minimal intervention, preferring open grazing over confinement.
2. Why choose bison over traditional livestock?
   Benefits include lower maintenance (hardy against harsh weather), higher meat value (lean, premium pricing), and resilience to many cattle diseases. Their grazing habits also promote pasture health.
3. How much land is needed per bison?
   Bison need 2–5 acres per animal to graze and roam freely. Overcrowding stresses the herd and damages pastures.
4. What do bison eat, and how does their diet differ from cattle?
   Primarily grazers, bison eat grasses and forage, requiring less supplemental feed than cattle. They adapt well to sparse vegetation but need mineral supplements.
5. What handling facilities and fencing are required?
   Use 8-foot fencing (woven wire or high-tensile) to contain them. Handling facilities must be robust, with chutes designed for their strength. Quiet, low-stress handling is key.
6. What are common health issues in bison, and how are they managed?
   Parasites, respiratory issues, and injuries are typical. Preventative care (vaccinations, deworming) and clean pastures minimize risks. Use experienced bison veterinarians.
7. How do breeding and calving work in bison?
   Bison breed seasonally (summer), with a 9.5-month gestation. Calves are born in spring, often without human intervention. Cows typically calve every 1–2 years.
8. How long until bison reach market weight?
   Bison reach slaughter weight (900–1,200 lbs) at 18–24 months. Growth rates depend on genetics, diet, and grazing quality.
9. Is bison farming profitable?
   Profitability hinges on niche markets, direct sales (meat, hides, breeding stock), and low-input costs. Initial setup (land, fencing) can be costly, but demand for bison products is rising.
10. What regulations apply to bison farming?
    Check local zoning, livestock branding, and meat processing laws. Some regions require permits for exotic livestock or USDA-inspected slaughter facilities for commercial sales.