With consumers searching for leaner, healthier meat, bison breeders are in demand more than ever. Patrons flock to the taste of buffalo meat due it a sweeter, richer flavor than beef but can be prepared the same way. As a result, breeding for the ideal piece of buffalo meat can be just as important as supplying food for it to eat.

Whether you're starting off in the buffalo breeding service or simply need a refresher course, it's vital to find the time to get the training you need. You may be able to find some training online, but be prepared to physically attend conferences or even garner internships. Before you determine where to obtain training for buffalo breeders, consider the following:

1. Obtain a degree geared toward breeding buffalo.

2. Use associations and periodicals to obtain a job shadowing those who work on buffalo ranches.

3. Network with organizations and gain knowledge on buffalo breeding.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive a degree to help further your career on a bison ranch

Certain schools in the bison-rich countryside offer classes based on buffalo studies. Most often these classes are hands-on, providing you the opportunity to study these animals up close and personal. Search out animal science-based degrees that focus on breeding and care for bison.

I recommend: The National Bison Association focuses on two schools that have bison-related degrees. Check out Montana State University-Bozeman and its Center for Bison Studies. North Dakota State University has an animal science program where you can receive an undergrad or graduate degree.

Secure an internship or shadow members of buffalo ranches to experience the job firsthand

Certain organizations can assist with finding internships with breeding of buffalo. Sometimes the best way to see if a job is an ideal fit is to experience it firsthand. By securing an internship, you can put your experience and training as a buffalo breeder to the test.

I recommend: Bison Quest Adventure Vacations offers a week-long internship program where you can work daily on bison-related tasks. Spend two days at Yellowstone National Park as part of the tour. Angle for an internship through The Ohio State University and its College of Veterinary Medicine.

Use connections to increase your knowledge about American buffalo breeders

Networking is one of the cornerstones to any industry; you often hear it's not what you know but who you know. If you're getting started in the bison breeding industry or if you want to brush up on your knowledge, then it's best to keep current with any changes or improvements involving buffalo farms.

I recommend: The National Bison Association offers a free online training class for those interested in raising buffalo. Look to attend a conference or other event sponsored by the Minnesota Buffalo Association. From educational conferences to auctions where you can purchase buffalo for sale, consider using this association to further your career.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider taking a leadership role in one of these organizations or associations geared toward bison breeders. Once you garner enough training, pass that knowledge along to those who want to learn what you now know.

The need for American buffalo breeders has never been stronger. The bison industry is starting to emerge as a strong player in the consumer meat market. Consumers are beginning to recognize - and even demand - this nutritious alternative to beef. The increased breeding of buffalo along with focused consumer marketing detailing the benefits of high protein diets is really starting to pay off in retail markets.

What is it about bison that has buffalo breeders stampeding into the market? First, there are new opportunities in the global marketplace opening up for bison products like leather and other byproducts. Second, the cost of bison breeding stock is very reasonable and the price offered for meat is on the rise. But, more importantly, breeding of buffalo addresses recent trends in the retail and restaurant markets:

1. Buffalo breeding yields a great tasting alternative to beef that is becoming very popular with chefs.

2. Bison meat appeals to health-conscious individuals since it is low in fat, but it has a high iron and protein content.

3. Buffalo breeders have a sustainable resource; buffalo are native to this part of the world and require no growth hormones.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick the brains of established American buffalo breeders

Before committing your time and economic resources to the breeding of buffalo, do your research. Get an education on what it takes to operate a bison ranch. The best way to get that education is to visit other bison breeders to look at their stock, their fencing and their handling systems. They are a friendly lot, and most of them will give you a tour and some advice.

I recommend: BisonRidge Ranch in Wisconsin gives ranch tours in the summer and early fall. Their 90-minute tour includes a trip to the corrals, the handling facilities and a wagon ride to see the herd. Smoky Hill Bison Co. provides guided van tours during the summer. Their "Evening with the Buffalo" includes a buffalo meal and a tram tour right into the herd so you can get up close and personal.

Research equipment used on other buffalo ranches

A major expense associated with breeding buffalo is fencing. A bison ranch requires higher and sturdier fences than cattle ranches. Before bringing any breeding stock in, strong fences have to be in place. In order to safely handle their stock, buffalo breeders use squeeze chute systems with crash gates and higher walls to accommodate their large occupants.

I recommend: Bekaert Fence supplies high tensile wire fencing suitable for buffalo breeding. Their Solidlock fencing is the strongest woven wire fence available and comes in a wide variety of heights. Pearson Livestock Equipment markets their own bison systems. Their handling systems for bison breeders chute panels, crash gates, walkways and load-out gates for buffalo farms.

Bring in your herd by finding bison for sale

Once you have completed your due diligence and purchased your equipment, you are ready to join the ranks of American buffalo breeders. When purchasing your stock you have the option of buying at auctions or buying directly from other bison breeders. New buffalo breeders should start with a small operation and work with calves for an easier learning curve.

I recommend: Blue Mountain Bison has one of the highest quality herds in the United States. Their breeding stock includes multiple prize winning animals. Kentucky Bison Company also sells high quality breeding stock from its award-winning herd.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The National Bison Association lists all upcoming auctions for buffalo breeding stock on their website.

Buffalo breeders education and training has widened with the increase of demand for buffalo. The new generation of health-aware people contains many who have turned to buffalo meat because they believe it has less fat than beef or pork meat. Some desire the taste of buffalo over other meats. Buffalo are also increasingly valuable for their hides, mounted heads, and for hunting as their numbers increase.

Seeing a buffalo herd as more of a profit than as a novelty has caused many ranchers to desire buffalo breeders education and training. Because many ranchers are not very familiar with the breed, much information is needed. There are several ways to gain knowledge about raising buffalo. Before beginning to raise buffalo on your ranch, ask yourself the following:

1. How informed are you about buffalo breeding?

2. What types of changes will you need to make to your farm to accommodate bison breeding?

3. How do bison breeders market and sell their livestock and products?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact other American buffalo breeders

One way to educate yourself on buffalo breeding is to visit established buffalo farms. Take a notebook and make notes. Ask questions and take pictures. Visit several different buffalo ranches in order to gain a variety of perceptions.

I recommend: Contact farms such as those listed by EBA Bison. Set up a visit with buffalo farm owners like The Buffalo Guys. Almost all buffalo farms offer information and visits.

Attend conferences dedicated to providing information for bison breeders

Conferences often provide up-to-date information and new uncovering of the latest products and methods for raising buffalo. You also have the opportunity to talk with many different buffalo breeders from all across America. Many states have their own buffalo or bison association that host conferences. Check your state for a group such as this.

I recommend: Consider conferences like those described at Bison Central. The Buffalo Field Campaign also lists conferences based on the raising and breeding of bison. Both offer notes from past conferences.

Check online for books with information about the breeding of buffalo

Books pertaining to breeding buffalo may offer more vivid pictures than websites. Books may also offer more information from a variety of sources. However, always check the publishing date and look for updated material when using printed books or articles as a resource for information.

I recommend: Gain information about breeding bison from Improving Artificial Breeding Guidelines Recommendations. Learn about raising bison from the Raising Bison Handbook.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As with the beginning of any new business adventure, keep in mind that education in the financial aspect of beginning a buffalo breeding ranch is also important. Look for information discussing the cost of beginning and maintaining your buffalo farm.

Buffalo breeding is becoming more popular in the U.S. Once considered almost a hobby, buffalo breeding now helps meet demand for lean meat. Key terms help buffalo breeders communicate with one another as well as understand articles and educational resources. Some terms such as bull, cow, and calf refer to the actual buffalo. The terms rutting season, gestation period, and oestrous cycle all discuss the timing associated with breeding buffalo. Before deciding to begin your own buffalo breeding farm, be certain to learn important key terms.

Action Steps
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Bull

Buffalo breeders use the term bull to refer to a male buffalo. A bull is capable or will be capable of breeding.

I recommend: View a picture and a brief description of a bull buffalo at Flickr.

Rutting season

The rutting season for buffalo is the time when buffalo are eager or ready to mate. This annual season begins in June and ends in September.

I recommend: Read about the rutting season of buffalo from an article discussing how to breed buffalo at eHow.

Gestation period

A buffalo gestation period is the length of time that it takes for a buffalo fetus to mature for birth after conception. The gestation period is around 287 days for a buffalo.

I recommend: View more about a buffalo's gestation period under the heading "calf production" at NDSU.

Oestrous cycle

The oestrous cycle refers to the time period in which a female buffalo creates and releases an egg, if it is not fertilized. This cycle for a buffalo is typically 21 days in length and is broken into four phases.

I recommend: Find a detailed discussion of the buffalo oestrous cycle at the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Sexual maturity

Sexual maturity refers to the age at which a bull buffalo is capable of servicing female buffalo or at which female buffalo are capable of having a fertilized egg. The sexual maturity age for bull American buffalo is 6 years old. The age for cow buffalo is 2 to 3 years of age.

I recommend: View more about the sexual maturity of buffalo from Buffalo Learning Zone.

Top-quality

A top-quality breeding buffalo is a buffalo that has no irregularities or deformities. This animal breeds without any complications and gains weight under a variety of circumstances.

I recommend: View top-quality breeding buffalo at Blue Mountain Bison. Also learn more about the features of a top-quality animal.