Introduction To Bison
It's a great time to get into the bison business!
The U.S. bison business ended 2008 in the healthiest financial position in more than a decade. Surging demand for deliciously healthy bison meat is providing private bison ranchers with an opportunity to connect with new customers across the country.
Consumer demand for bison grew by 10 percent along in 2008, marking the fifth straight year of double-digit growth for the industry.
It's a remarkable comeback for a species that teetered on the brink of extinction little more than a century ago. Herds that had numbered between 40 million and 60 million when the first European explorers set foot on the American continent were nearly wiped out by the 1880's, with fewer than 1,000 bison left in existence. After 1900, bison slowly regained a foothold, primarily on public lands scattered throughout the western United States.
Over the past 25 years, though, private ranchers have played the lion's role in restoring bison to the landscape–and to the dinner table–across north America. Now, with consumers embracing the great taste of nutritious bison meat, those ranchers have an economic incentive to increase the size of their herds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent Census of Agriculture, conducted in 2007, pegs the U.S. bison on private lands at 198,000 animals. With animals on public lands factored in, the actual size of the U.S. herd is now estimated at about 225,000 bison.
Still, bison remains a unique niche within the U.S. livestock sector. And that's just fine with us. To put things in perspective, we in the bison industry are proud that 52,267 bison were processed under USDA inspection in 2008, with another 20,000 processed under state inspection. By comparison, the U.S. beef industry processes roughly 125,000 cattle on an average day.
We in the bison industry do not foresee our products ever becoming a mainstream commodity. Instead, we aim to continue restoring bison herds across the American continent by connecting with consumers who value the natural qualities of this native species. In particular:
- Bison is a natural as part of a healthy diet. Bison is low in fat, high in protein and iron, and has a great cholesterol profile.
- Bison is a natural, sustainable meat. Bison are a natural part of this ecosystem, so bison ranching is beneficial to the natural environment.
- Bison tastes great. Chefs and everyday cooks across the country are discovering that bison has a great flavor.
|
Bison Prices Reflect Consumer Demand Monthly March 2009 vs. March 2005 |
||||||||
| Head Processed |
Mar. 09 Weighted Ave. |
March-05 Weighted Ave. |
Difference Mar 09 - Feb 05 |
Percentage Increase |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHOLESALE PRICES | ||||||||
| Young Bulls | 1,957 | $ | 237.30 | $ | 161.28 | $ | 76.02 | 47% |
| Young Heifers | 1,304 | $ | 220.08 | $ | 146.45 | $ | 73.63 | 50% |
| Aged Bulls | 21 | $ | 146.71 | $ | 109.40 | $ | 37.31 | 34% |
| Aged Cows | 313 | $ | 145.80 | $ | 103.51 | $ | 42.29 | 41% |
| Lbs. sold | ||||||||
| Ribeye, Lip-On Fresh | 39,735 | $ | 984.08 | $ | 903.75 | $ | 80.33 | 9% |
| Ribeye, Lip-On Frozen | 3,239 | $ | 1,033.33 | $ | 826.36 | $ | 206.97 | 25% |
| Chuckroll Fresh | 84,947 | $ | 333.69 | $ | 282.84 | $ | 50.85 | 18% |
| Chuckroll Frozen | 10,093 | $ | 320.78 | $ | 202.03 | $ | 118.75 | 59% |
| Top Round Fresh | 2,234 | $ | 426.23 | $ | 288.51 | $ | 137.72 | 48% |
| Top Round Frozen | 5,663 | $ | 381.09 | $ | 364.15 | $ | 16.94 | 5% |
| Strip Loin Fresh | 34,549 | $ | 898.42 | $ | 879.84 | $ | 18.58 | 2% |
| Strip Loin Frozen | 5,050 | $ | 711.94 | $ | 546.87 | $ | 165.07 | 30% |
| Top Sirloin Fresh | 7,777 | $ | 598.58 | $ | 549.30 | $ | 49.28 | 9% |
| Top Sirloin Frozen | 1,537 | $ | 705.69 | $ | 415.23 | $ | 290.46 | 70% |
| Tenderloin Fresh | 14,375 | $ | 1,601.66 | $ | 1,322.89 | $ | 278.77 | 21% |
| Tenderloin Frozen | 3,132 | $ | 1,617.32 | $ | 1,310.86 | $ | 306.46 | 23% |
| Bison Trimmings 90% Fresh | 47,558 | $ | 281.66 | $ | 236.12 | $ | 45.54 | 19% |
| Bison Trimmings 90% Frozen | 128,308 | $ | 262.34 | $ | 172.44 | $ | 89.90 | 52% |
| Ground 90% Bulk, Fresh | 93,049 | $ | 323.00 | $ | 269.41 | $ | 53.59 | 20% |
| Ground 90% Bulk, Frozen | 10,564 | $ | 354.09 | $ | 274.57 | $ | 79.52 | 29% |
| CASE READY PRICES | ||||||||
| Ground 90% Bulk Fresh | 435,101 | $ | 355.12 | $ | 308.88 | $ | 46.24 | 15% |
| Ground 90% Bulk Frozen | 28,232 | $ | 379.38 | $ | 306.69 | $ | 72.69 | 24% |
| Source: USDA Livestock and Grain Market News | ||||||||
The rising consumer demand, though, has created welcome stability and strength for our industry. Over the past four years alone, the average price ranchers receive for quality slaughter bulls have increased by 47 percent. Other slaughter stock has increased at a commensurate level. Our markets are continuing to hold steady even throughout the ongoing economic recession. The overall consumer demand for bison is continuing to hold strong, even through some consumers are moving toward the less-expensive cuts of bison.
The anticipated continued growth in consumer demand creates some significant opportunities, and challenges, for our business. Because we are a relatively small industry, maintaining a healthy supply-demand balance is imperative. With the rising popularity of bison meat in restaurants and retail locations, demand may soon outstrip supply.
That's why we encourage you to get the Bison Advantage at the various workshops hosted by the state and regional bison associations. At these workshops you'll find experienced producers who are willing to give a hand to help ranchers make the transition from cattle to bison, and to help newcomers who are making their initial entry into the livestock business.
The National Bison Association, and the many state-regional associations, have a wealth of information and expertise as well. You'll find plenty of friends, resources, and opportunities in today's bison business. We hope to see you at the next Bison Advantage workshop!
(Information provided on this page courtesy of the National Bison Association.)
