There are currently more than 350,000 buffalo throughout North America. Ninety percent of these animals are owned by private individuals and are being raised to fulfill the high consumer demand for buffalo meat. Herds may be found from New York to Florida, California to Alaska, and every place in-between. Buffalo are curious, intelligent, territorial, dignified, playful, and tremendously strong animals.
KY Bison Co.'s buffalo herd has grown from our base stock purchased from national shows and well known buffalo farms and ranches throughout North America including:
- The Gold Trophy Show and Sale, Denver CO
- Colorado Bison Co.
- Pine Hills Bison
- Rawhide Energy Station
- Rock Creek Ranch
- Trails End River Bison
- Canadian National Bison Show and Sale
- Buffalo Hill Ranch, Inc.
- Lakeview Ranch
- Silver Creek Bison
- Wilson River Bison
- Hollow Hill Farm
- Buffalo Dance Bison
- Custer State Park
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Although they are not a domestic animal, buffalo are easily cared for. Generally speaking, buffalo are ruminants, eating a wide range of grasses and requiring less protein than cattle. Most cattle fences will keep buffalo confined, and most happy buffalo will not go through a strong fence. Consensus is, however, that fencing should be about 5 feet tall, as bison can jump higher than cattle. Working buffalo is different than working cattle - you can't force a buffalo to go where it doesn't want to go, although you can "encourage" it to do so. Gentleness and patience go a long way, and grains are frequently used to foster the relationship between owner and animal.
For the past few years, breeding herds have grown between 17 - 25% each year, and expectations are that this rate of growth will continue for the foreseeable future. Bulls at the age of 18 - 30 months are supplying the prime meat. The breeding season runs from early summer into fall, and buffalo cows will produce offspring for 20 - 30 years.
KY Bison Co. has
approximately 300 Buffalo (depending on the time of year),
both Plains and Woods Cross. There are multi-sire and single
sire herds each year; 120 - 130 cows are exposed to bulls
from (in general) June 1st to Sept 1st. A buffalo's gestation
period is approximately nine months and buffalo cows will
produce offspring for 20 - 30 years.
KY Bison Co. does sell high quality breeding stock. Call today to discuss purchasing a prime bison to help build and strengthen your herd.
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