INNISFAIL, Alta. – Linda Saunter doesn’t want to say it too loud in case she jinxes it, but things are looking good for the bison industry.
Prices for the animals are rising and so is the demand.
“The whole industry definitely has a brighter horizon than we’ve had in quite some time,” said Saunter, office manager for the Bison Producers of Alberta.
For the first time in years, chefs, exporters and slaughter plants have all called the office wondering where to find bison.
Read Also
Canola support gets mixed response
A series of canola industry support measures announced by the federal government are being met with mixed reviews.
“I’m really sensing a difference out there,” she said. “It’s been such a long haul.”
Prairie bison producers were hit hard by BSE in 2003. With few slaughter plants willing or able to slaughter bison, average bison prices dropped from $1.55 a pound rail grade in 2002 to $1.18 lb. in 2003. Producers who hoped bison would bring a brighter farming future grew discouraged and many left the business or sold part of their herd.
With the reopening of the American border to bison and more Canadian slaughter plants able to slaughter the animals, prices have climbed and buyers are knocking on producers’ doors looking for animals.
“There’s a lot of things coming together,” Saunter said.
Terry Kremeniuk, executive director of the Canadian Bison Association, said so far the average rail grade price for bison in 2008 is $2.05, almost a $1 per lb. higher than five years earlier.
“There is optimism in the industry,” said Kremeniuk.
The number of bison has also steadily increased. In 1996, Statistics Canada reported 745 producers raising about 45,000 bison. In 2006, the Statistics Canada report counted 1,898 producers raising almost 200,000 bison.
Kremeniuk estimates bison numbers are now closer to 225,000.
“Everyone is putting forth a real effort to market the animals,” he said.
At Sunterra Meats in Innisfail, a bison slaughter trial 15 months ago proved so successful that the plant now slaughters 50 to 60 bison during a twice-weekly kill and it is looking to increase bison slaughter numbers.
“We made a conscious decision to buy bison and sell meat in the trade,” said Miles Kliner, general manager at Sunterra Meats.
The packing plant, renovated in 2005, custom slaughtered some bison, but that business was inconsistent.
“We were forced to look at ways to utilize the floor,” he said.
Kliner said one of the biggest hurdles in taking on bison slaughter was convincing supermarket chains to take another look at the meat. Many markets were stung by producers who promised a steady supply but were unable to deliver weekly supplies.
“It’s got to be in the stores 52 weeks a year. That’s the business we’re in.”
“The challenge is to deliver consistent quality to the marketplace,” said Kliner.
Brian Buan, key account manager with Sunterra, said the company believes there is growth potential, especially in the domestic market.
“It’s been a positive business venture for us.”
Bison exporter Butch Smith of Rimbey, Alta., said the combination of an open border and a shortage of supply has buyers chasing the same bison, driving the prices higher.
Since August, Smith has exported about 6,000 head of bison to the United States for slaughter and finishing in American feedlots.
“I’ve got some of the packing plants pissed off at me. They want all of the animals left here to kill. Without this pressure they’re not paying enough money. I’ve got (producers) pretty good money for (bison) this year. It’ll be really big next fall,” said Smith.
“I’ve got orders for next year that could easily double, but I don’t know if I’ll have the numbers,” said Smith. who has three buyers driving farm to farm looking for bison.
Smith believes convincing Canadians raised on beef to eat bison is too much trouble. Americans are short of bison and they’re willing to pay more money for animals, so that’s where they should go.
“I’ve always said selling buffalo in Canada is a waste of time. I think the good times will continue as long as the border stays open.”
