Bison Producers Receiving Good Prices

Jim Matheson, Executive Director of the National Bison Association, says overall bison industry economics are doing good.

“So, very similar to other sectors of livestock, we have our challenges, but overall our prices are up as supply tightens for market-ready animals, quite similar to the situation on the cattle market right now. So overall, we're doing very well. According to the US Department of Agriculture's monthly bison price report, our young bulls, which are kind of our prime bulls, are at about 425, a pound hanging weight, which is the highest it's been in probably five or six years. I would say young heifers are also up significantly, also as high as they've been in recent memory. So overall, things are going quite well on the pricing side of things, and that's all thanks to growing consumer demand for healthy bison meat.”

“Although not federally designated, the National Bison association is celebrating July as National Bison Month. According to bisoncentral.com, bison is the leanest protein widely available to consumers today, while being nutritious with 26% more iron and is 87% lower in fat than conventional beef, and based on nutrient data from the USDA, bison has 766% more B12 vitamins and chicken, and has 32% less fat.