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Missouri Department of Agriculture

Ag Business Development

Bison and Elk

Interest in bison production has been growing steadily over the last decade with bison being promoted as a lean, antibiotic-free and growth hormone-free meat. The North American Bison Cooperative is one example of producers joining together to process and market their meat and is comprised of producers from many states. On a smaller scale, smaller cooperatives have formed to capture regional or local niche markets. While high end restaurants are a primary market for retail cuts of meat, bison jerky and sausage also provide market opportunities. Limited markets exist for the hide, wool and skulls.

At this time, the bison industry is experiencing an economic downturn. The current recession has led to decreases in the high end restaurant industry and correlating drops in bison demand. The lack of a national marketing campaign to promote bison leaves the consumer unaware of bison as a specialty meat. Add to that the economic laws of supply and demand, and in this time of supply being greater than demand, market opportunities are further reduced.

Opportunities do exist for producers/producer groups to develop local and regional markets. Developing these markets, however, will require much time and effort devoted to educating the consumer on bison as a specialty meat.

Interest has also been growing in the elk industry. The elk industry offers four markets: breeding stock, velvet, meat and trophy ranches. In recent years, the elk breeding stock market and the antler market have been the major markets with overseas customers fueling demand. While velvet prices for overseas markets have been decreasing, increasing interest in developing North American markets offers opportunities for elk producers. More progressive breeders are researching and developing markets for elk meat - a lean, low cholesterol meat and research is growing on nutraceutical uses for velvet. Demand is increasing for trophy bulls and it appears this market will continue to grow, with Missouri being home to several trophy operations. Increases in all of these markets will, in turn, increase demand for breeding stock. As with the bison industry, marketing efforts must include a major focus on educating the consumer when developing these markets.

Bison Resources:

• Missouri Bison Association website, including listing of buyers and sellers
• Bison Central
• Bison Production Guide (Applied Technology Transfer to Rural Areas)
• General Bison Handling Guidelines (Nebraska Cooperative Extension)
• Bison website (North Dakota State University)
• Montana State University Center for Bison and Wildlife Health
• The Michigan Bison Association
• The Great Plains Buffalo Association
• The Dakota Territory Buffalo Association
• The Minnesota Buffalo Association
• The North Dakota Buffalo Association
• The Northwest Bison Association
• Texas Bison Association
• Wisconsin Bison Producers Association
• Nebraska State Buffalo Association
• Eastern Bison Association

Elk Resources:

• Elk website (North Dakota State University Extension Service)
• Canadian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs offers elk resources and links
• Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food resource on elk production

Bison and Elk Associations:

• Missouri Bison Association
• Missouri Beefalo Association
• Missouri Elk Farmers Association
• The Great Plains Buffalo Association
• North American Elk Breeders Association
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Examples of Elk and Bison Value-Added Businesses:

• Armstrong Creek Bison Company
• Arrowhead Buffalo Meat and Steaks
• Whitehorse Valley Buffalo Ranch