Montana Bison News- December 2024
A newsletter from the Montana Bison Association
The President’s Corner
Happy Holidays fellow Montana Bison Ranchers. Winter is upon us and spring will be right around the corner. I’m sure everyone is busy and getting ready for the holidays.
I wanted to share with you the amazing experience we had at the 2024 summer conference on the American Prairie in June. Pedro Calderon-Dominguez and his wonderful crew hosted about 40 of us at their Enrico Education Center in Malta, Montana. We had invaluable speakers and a full spectrum of learning and connecting with the bison family. It is so good to be continuously learning from old friends as well as new ones. Each attendee was amazing, and I am so grateful for their contributions and friendship.
We got an In-depth description of operations at the American Prairie and a tour of their handling facilities and a peek at their beautiful herd. Thanks to Pedro, Flora, Manning, Henry, and Scott.
Aaniiih/Nakoda College (Teri Harper and her students) gave a presentation on their bison studies degree program: studying bison, raising bison, and filling the food banks at four different communities on the reservation. They run about 2000 head in their tribal herd.
We learned about the bison herd starting out at Rocky Boy Reservation. Bringing bison back to the land is huge for them culturally and economically.
Moritz Espy gave an overview of economic analysis of bison ranching. What is your gross margin per head of bison? Do you have a stock flow chart? This is not as fun as hanging out with the bison, but it is essential if you are going to have any bison to hang out with. His message was bluntly, to figure out the economics or fold up your operation. Of course, if you have a hobby herd the economics are not quite as important, but in the words of Robert Kiyosaki, “Assets feed you and liabilities eat you.” Moritz’s advice was to schedule it first thing in the morning and get your economic planning done before your chores and enjoy the bison.
Then you don’t get lost in the love of hanging out with the bison or stuck fixing the skid steer.
Cody Spenser gave a great presentation on regenerative bison ranching and the impact of bison to restore soil and land as well as the people who work with them. Learn more about his programs in Canada and the US at – Codyspencer.land
Ken Klemm, NBA’s President gave us a hands-on how-to demonstration of rangeland monitoring and ecology. What you focus on grows. Monitor and measure and learn what is really going on in your pastures and your grazing program.
Jim Mattheson gave a great talk about the interconnectedness of the bison world. We learned about the National Bison Association collaborations with ITBC, Tanka Fund, and the WWF.
The MBA bylaws were updated by a unanimous vote to approve the new mission and vision statement that was created by a committee earlier this spring.
The fun auction was decidedly more fun and more profitable as a silent auction. Thanks so much to all who donated and bid at the silent auction.
Did you know that bison are not covered by the livestock loss mitigation program? Most other livestock that pay per capita fees are covered, “cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats, llamas, and livestock guard dogs.” If an animal is killed by a wolf, mountain lion, or grizzly bear, the rancher is reimbursed at fair market value for that animal, unless it’s a bison. Then they are simply told, “Sorry for your loss.” MBA member Ty Stubbefield went through this when a 2 year old bull was taken out by a grizzly. The bear ripped the bull’s Achilles tendon and the bison had to be put down. The livestock loss board was not able to give him any compensation for the loss of that animal because of the legislative rules.
The MBA board voted at the August meeting and we have been working on getting the legislation changed so that bison are covered. Ty has graciously been working with the MBA board members and legislation and will submit the bill to add bison.
Ty has also agreed to serve as Vice President since Michael Botha has stepped down. We will have another position coming up for Treasure as Melinda’s term will end beginning of 2025, so if anyone is interested, please let one of the board members know.
Terye Gaustad
Montana Bison Association President
2025 Spring Conference- SAVE the DATE
March 14-15, 2025 Bozeman, MT The Montana Bison Association Board members have been busy planning a spring conference in Bozeman, Montana at The Best Western Plus GranTree Inn Hotel March 14th-15th, 2025. Doc is working on a great lineup of speakers including Wes Olson and Johane Janel speaking on the Ecological Buffalo and Tom Bragg, Veterinary of Ted Turner’s Bison Ranches has also agreed to speak on Bison diseases that can affect herd health. This is a conference you don’t want to miss! Conference and room details coming soon, we hope to see you all there.Doc’s Corner
Here it is, early November and I’m back with a buffalo herd on the American Prairie. Fall colors are stunning. The conical peaks of the Little Rockies on the western horizon remind me of teepees. Buffalo are grazing peacefully in the foreground. Our world gets no better than this!
As you already know, in early June, Montana Bison Association celebrated 25 years by having our summer meeting here at American Prairie. They were perfect hosts. Thanks so much!
What a summer of buffalo this has been. In early July, I attended the second International Bison Health Symposium in Brookings, South Dakota. It was a gathering of bison enthusiasts and specialists from across the North American Continent. Our own Pedro was one of the presenters and gave an outstanding presentation on low-stress handling.
Other talks centered around bison health and research. We are accumulating a whole portfolio of bison-specific credible information. Such topics as Mycoplasma, genomic research, parasites, genetic diversity, MCF, soils, gut bacteria, etc. In addition, graduate students and researchers presented poster exhibits highlighting their research.
Later in the summer, I experienced tribal gatherings celebrating the return of this animal. New indigenous herds are being established and expanded across North America. Tribal colleges are leading the way in teaching young people how to be successful caregivers.
Through my 50+ years in general veterinary practice, the bison has always been very special. I am proud to have been a founding member of the Montana Bison Association. We are still discovering new ways to best to relate to this animal.
Our association welcomes a diverse membership. You do not have to own bison. I look forward to our next meeting. The friendly interaction and the special list of great speakers.
Doc Woerner
