The paradoxical nature of growth in the US bison industry

Abstract

In the bison industry, a paradox has emerged in which the ideal of bison restoration has become increasingly disconnected from the management practices that orient and coordinate the lives of bison on private ranches. Although the industry has spurred the growth and reintroduction of the species, it has not been able to restore it in a theoretically significant way that approximates historic bison populations. This article examines the economic, cultural, and material variables that have generated this paradox. While considerable diversity remains within the industry, economic crises, consumer expectations and governmental regulations have reduced the influence of alternative practices and perspectives. Representations of the bison industry should acknowledge these contradictory forces to facilitate better understanding of the costs and benefits of these developments.

Keywords:

• bison
• agriculture
• animal geography

Notes

1. Interviews were conducted with individuals residing in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

2. Because of the relatively small size of the bison industry, US institutions have conducted virtually no comprehensive research on the industry. Conversely, Canadians have shown more interest in the economic potential of bison because bison can better withstand the severe winter climate in Canada. Thus, ironically, the best source of data on the US bison industry comes from a Canadian source.

3. Currently, it is still possible to have field-killed bison inspected and approved by federal authorities if a producer follows specific procedures and pays for additional costs. However, on a large production scale the expense and logistics of such practices are prohibitive.

4. The percentage of producers that use grain is probably higher than this percentage. Due to disagreement regarding this practice, some producers are reticent to acknowledge their use of grain. As a case in point, in the process of interviews, some producers of grass-fed bison mentioned a lack of forthrightness on the part of other producers in describing their management techniques.

5. Test-negative bison are bison that exhibit no antibodies to the disease, and are thus presumed to be uninfected.