Bison and Elk

[cakadu]

I have eaten a fair bit of buffalo and don't find it much different from beef. The cooking is what is important and in a fast food scenario, I'm not sure how that will go. It doesn't take much to turn it into shoe leather.

It will be more of an uphill battle with consumers though as many of them think of buffalo as "wild" meat and there is a huge aversion to it. There was a lady sampling buffalo burgers in the store in the small town near where I live and a lady with a couple of kids walked by. When asked, the little boy said "sure" and popped it in his mouth because I'm sure all he heard was burger. The mom said no immediately and the little girl followed suit. Maybe getting kids to eat it will be the trick - no stigma attached - yet.

[Deb]

My new neighbour has a herd of bison and he has nicely overgrazed his pastures. I included some Alberta Agriculture info on pasture management in with his Christmas card. I wonder if he will be offended or if he will appreciate it!

I will ask him how he makes money off his bison. I wouldn't mind buying one to eat!

[nakodo]

That would make one less to overgraze the grass too!

[cowman]

Deb: Buy a Beef! It will taste a lot better and it will be cheaper! And I suspect it will be just as healthy! There is no way buffalo can compete with beef on an economic standpoint. The average buffalo bull can only service about ten females. Three years old is pretty standard for a first calf. What are the gains in the feedlot compared to cattle? There was a reason these animals couldn't cut it...they were not economical! So if you want a lean animal, eat a holstein...better meat just as cheap!