Bison associations on the Prairies are urging producers to stick
together as their industry makes its way through turbulent times.
The Canadian Bison Association is offering new incentives to encourage
producer support.
“It we don’t stick together and don’t support each other, it will be to
our own detriment,” said Bill Bouffioux, president of the association.
Producer support helps national and provincial associations with
marketing and promotion, as well as lobbying on political issues that
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could affect the industry.
However, as the industry weathers tough economic times, producers are
forced to take a harder look at their bottom lines and question how
much they are getting in return for association memberships.
“Everything’s fragmented. Everyone’s back is against the wall,” said
Manitoba bison rancher Dave Giesbrecht.
To keep its membership intact, the Canadian Bison Association is
launching programs that offer members exclusive benefits such as
discounts when buying tagging equipment, fencing and tools. The
discounts are available through retailers taking part in what the
national association calls member loyalty programs.
The association also will be charging non-members more for its printed
materials such as cookbooks, recipes and bumper stickers.
Last year the Canadian Bison Association had 1,530 members. So far this
year 1,200 memberships have been sold, although some regions have not
yet reported the memberships they have taken in, said Gavin Conacher,
the association’s executive director.
“People may look for the road that benefits them only,” said Paul Born,
a Kleefeld, Man., producer. “That eventually will lead to a breakdown.”
