Industry officials say the sector is starting to recover after struggling with two drought years and the COVID-19 pandemic
The Canadian bison industry has been through difficult times the last few years but is emerging from the doldrums, according to Manitoba Bison Association president Robert Johnson. “Between the two drought years and the COVID-19 pandemic, then high feed prices, probably the last two years have been pretty crappy for bison prices,” he explained. Johnson […] Read moreTag Archives Bison
Bison producers decide to take more active research role
Carl Fils said the Canadian Bison Association’s board will fund the committee with an initial $50,000 to get it going, while 10 percent of industry development fees from tag sales collected by the provinces and national association will also go toward the research fund.
VIDEO: Vermillion home to Lakeland’s bison ranch
A herd of bison will be moved to 1,280 acres of land purchased by Lakeland College, creating the first commercial bison ranch in Canada operated by a post-secondary institution. It will allow students at the college’s Student Managed Farm in Vermilion, Alta., to get hands-on experience about how to manage bison, said dean of agriculture […] Read more
Kremeniuk guided, grew Canadian bison industry
For two decades the Canadian Bison Association leader navigated BSE, processing, trade, markets and growth
Terry Kremeniuk retired the first time in 2003. Nearly 20 years later, he retired again. There could even be a third retirement in his future because he will likely find something else to do. “He has to be busy,” said his wife, Sharon. Kremeniuk had a full career of more than 31 years at Farm […] Read more
Bison producers remain cautiously optimistic
With restaurants closed and exports to Europe basically non-existent, most of 2020 and nearly all of 2021 was a rough period for Canada’s bison industry. But demand for bison meat bounced back in 2022 and prices have increased over the last year. As a result, bison ranchers are feeling more hopeful. “Cautious optimism? I’m starting […] Read more
Bison designed to fight climate change, with fewer emissions
The ancient animal has been living in hot and challenging environments for millennia and will even reduce fire risk
Bison are likely well suited to a warming climate, says Dr. John Church, research chair in cattle industry sustainability at Thompson Rivers University. “The heat’s coming. I think we’re all starting to appreciate that,” he told the Canadian Bison Association annual conference. “Of the species that we raise for livestock I’m probably the least worried […] Read more
Bison market crashes down on producers
Only a couple of months ago, the price of a bison carcass was close to $5 a pound in Western Canada. Now, prices on the rail have dropped to $3.50 per lb. But that number isn’t precise because the packing plants are processing very few animals. “There’s no liquidity right now,” said Dean Andres, who […] Read more
Bison ‘the perfect animal’ to promote for consumers
Presenter at the recent Wild Rose Bison Convention in Camrose, Alta., lauded the attributes of bison meat
CAMROSE, Alta. — Bison are the ideal animal for consumers’ changing diet, said an agrologist and sustainable agriculture adviser. Bison meat is healthy, the animal is native to North America and is the ideal grass animal, Vince McConnell told bison producers at their annual meeting. Instead of trying to compete with traditional livestock and markets, […] Read more
First Nations seek free-roaming bison herds
Efforts are underway to increase the number of free-ranging bison in Western Canada and Montana. Signatories to the 2014 bison treaty, which includes numerous First Nations, are working to establish regions where bison can roam and where native connections with the iconic species can be re-established. Leroy Little Bear, a scholar integral to formation of […] Read more
Producers urged to deal withtwo faces of bison production
Is bison a fully industrialized production system or a heritage animal raised in the most natural way possible?
Canadian bison producers were challenged to think differently about the animals they raise during a presentation at their annual convention last week. “This is your navel-gazing talk,” said Dr. Terry Whiting, animal welfare manager with Manitoba Agriculture. “I want you to think about the idea of a bison more than a bison itself.” Bison have […] Read more
