Bison Survey

Bison Survey. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

USDA and bison producers are conducting a first ever epidemical survey to learn more about different aspects of the industry. Dave Carter of the National Bison Association

CARTER: We’re just launching an epidemiological survey of bison that’s being spearheaded by the folks at APHIS and we think that’s going to be really beneficial for our business. The things like Risk Management and Ag Marketing Service helping us out with some of the programs. The things like NASS giving us the information that we need to have. Those are really valuable as we build this business and continue to connect with consumers around the quality and taste of this meat.

The upcoming Census of Agriculture is one form of data bison producers rely on heavily for their business.

CARTER: The provide us first of all with the slaughter numbers and we can track that through, know how we’re doing on that and we’re just very pleased that since 2002 we’ve been a part of the Census of Agriculture. That was the first year that they started measuring the bison herd. They did it in 2007.

Carter says that the information is becoming more complete with each census.

CARTER: This last time around they not only asked us about the numbers of bison but they asked us some detailed questions talking about the market value. What was the value you sold it for. That type of information is really critical as we try and build this business and get people into it.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.