My first experience with buffalo producers was speaking to the Alberta Bison Association in March of 2018 and not surprisingly, I had a very similar experience last weekend in Rapid City, SD with the Dakota Territory Buffalo Association. Although I found no difference between the producers in Canada and the United States, I feel like I am more in tune with exactly how the buffalo producer is the tip of spear in the challenges we face today in not only food production but also property rights. This group of food
animal owners are certainly part of the solution and are not contributing to the problem. Today we have too many folks who want to use the romance of the American Buffalo as a means of grabbing land that they can then take out of food production. The phrase that seems to generate a tremendous amount of positive public sentiment is “Rewilding America.” The powers that be fantasize about capturing these majestic beasts for a role in their “real” American Experience. Let me repeat, the folks I was hanging with in Rapid City are not part of this romantic notion of what buffalo roaming is all about.
The grazing animal is absolutely vital as the key component to improving the health of the planet as well as human health. From the standpoint of American Buffalo, eating them must occur in order to completely achieve the full value of the species. I do have a tremendous number of concerns about the “Rewilding Movement” because they do not see the human consumption portion as a viable part of this process.
First off, I cannot deny that there is something extremely remarkable about the sight of this beast
ambling across the prairie. The American Buffalo is truly an icon, ranking right up there with the American Cowboy as something that sends a message to the entire world. However, beyond all the romance of just observing a grazing buffalo, you must have a demand for the consumptive use of the animal. Not that long ago, full use of every buffalo harvested was not completely certain but the demand for buffalo meat has been on the rise.
You may have noticed that I have referred to this group as “buffalo” producers rather than “bison” producers. Little did most of us know, the water buffalo folks have been trying to gain an advantage in marketing by labeling their product as “Buffalo” instead of “Water Buffalo” which is clearly misleading.
Interestingly, two days after this gathering in Rapid City, a group of bipartisan federal officials announced they are sponsoring legislation to clarify this labeling in consistency and make it more transparent for consumers so they won’t be confused when purchasing buffalo.
The folks I was privileged to spend the weekend with, members of the Dakota Territory Buffalo Association, are simply ranchers who have chosen buffalo instead of beef cattle to graze their land and improve human lives. It is important that we keep this selective group of livestock producers on the land producing something that people need and desire. I am not going to tell you that I think grazing buffalo is superior to grazing cattle but I think it speaks to our property rights that we always have that choice to make regarding which is best for our operation. Likewise, the nutrient profiles for the two protein sources are similar.
The truth is that we need these buffalo to be owned by people who understand grazing as a vital part of our ecosystem while still preserving a glimpse of plains history. We need them to be managed by true stewards of the land while receiving animal husbandry from private owners who understand good livestock management. The whole system creates value and maintains property rights for all of us.
The future of the planet relies on a blend of animal husbandry and consumptive use of grazing animals like the American Buffalo. I was blessed to spend time with a group of buffalo breeders that share a mindset that grazing is the best path forward to a healthy future for both the planet and the humans who live there.
Great suggestion and beyond that the Yellowstone herd, unmanaged by the Federal Government suffers greatly compared to the Custer State Park herd managed by the State of South Dakota.
I wish you would also give us an overview or expand on how the buffalo herds "managed" by fed agencies are actually harming the ecosystem. A few weeks ago you had mentioned brucellosis in those herds.