How Much Does A Bison Cost?

Last Updated on July 30, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Bison, often affectionately nicknamed the iconic “American buffalo,” have seen surging popularity among ranchers and health-conscious consumers in recent years. However, the substantial costs involved in purchasing live bison breeding stock or high-quality bison meat can fluctuate rather remarkably based on current market conditions, the specific age and desirable attributes of each individual animal, and numerous other influential factors.

However, this overview will explore bison costs at length beyond just these baseline averages, delving into seasonal market fluctuations, geography-based pricing variances, expenses associated with proper animal keeping, current consumer demand trends positively influencing the bison marketplace, and much more to consider.

How Much Does A Bison Cost?

Current bison costs generally range from $1,500-$5,000 for calves, $2,500-$10,000 for breeding adults, and $6-$25 per pound for meat – but prices fluctuate routinely based on market influences.

Prospective bison owners have numerous options when it comes to selecting animals by age and maturity to either build up a breeding herd or harvest for quality artisanal meat:

• Bison Calves – Newborn bison calves straight from the pasture generally cost between $1,500 to $5,000+ per head purchased directly from reputable ranchers. Hand-raised calves require significant ongoing hands-on care, expenses, and time investments before reaching maturity for breeding or achieving ideal finishing weights if being grown out for harvest.
• Bison Yearlings – After naturally weaning from their mothers, bison yearlings aged 1-2 years old typically sell for $2,000 to $7,000+ per head based heavily on their initial weight and size coming off their first grazing season, overall health and body condition, and pedigree if applicable.
• Adult Bison Cows and Prime Bulls – Fully physically mature breeding-age bison cows beyond 3 years old commonly sell for $2,500 to $10,000+ per head depending greatly on factors like proven maternal history with calves, veterinary health clearances, parasite load testing, and temperament. Mature bulls 5 years+ from elite bloodlines with desirable genetics can fetch up to $15,000 on up above $25,000+ by the very top seedstock producers.

So purchasing adult bison generally provides immediate ready-to-breed herd additions or animals sized for harvesting but with a notably higher upfront investment cost. Younger calves offer longer-term herd-development potential but require much greater time and financial dedication to nurture them through the vulnerable early months and years.

According to Outback Taxidermy, the cost for a shoulder mount of an American bison is approximately $2,825, while a full life-size mount can be priced around $22,400. This reflects the high demand and the complexity involved in taxidermy for larger animals like bison.

All American Taxidermy lists similar prices for bison taxidermy, indicating that a shoulder mount can cost around $2,500. They also provide prices for other game animals, giving context to the costs associated with bison compared to other species.

When it comes to purchasing bison meat, prices can vary based on the cut and supplier. For instance, Bison World offers ground bison for about $10 to $15 per pound, while steaks and roasts can range from $15 to $30 per pound depending on the specific cut and whether it is grass-fed or organic.

For live bison, prices can also fluctuate based on age, sex, and breeding status. According to The Bison Association, the price for a young bison calf can range from $1,500 to $3,000, while mature breeding bulls can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on their lineage and health.

Introduction to Bison Costs

After nearing extinction in the 19th century, bison numbers have rebounded to approximately 400,000 today thanks to ongoing conservation efforts. As demand for bison meat grows and more ranchers explore bison farming, understanding the pricing and costs involved becomes crucial.

Many factors affect bison costs, including age, gender, breeder reputation, meat yield, and market conditions. Calves cost less than fully grown adults but require time and expenses to reach slaughter weights. Meat prices fluctuate like other livestock. Let’s explore bison pricing specifics in detail.

You might also like our articles about the cost of an alpaca, a llama, or a Black Angus cow.

How Does Gender Impact Bison Pricing?

When appraising potential bison purchases, the animal’s gender certainly factors prominently into valuation and pricing considerations:

• Intact Bulls – For a conservatively managed breeding program, keeping one or two dominants, rutting bulls tops for most modest-sized herds. Their natural aggression generally makes handling more challenging and riskier. But matched with the right cows, a well-bred herd sire commands premium pricing starting at $10,000+, sometimes exponentially higher, for the valuable genetics and offspring they consistently yield.
• Cows – The most valued for building herds are cows of breeding age who have already reliably demonstrated their maternal abilities and fertility to produce calves annually for a decade or more. Their proven productivity potential for ongoing calf crops into the future demands understandably higher pricing of $5,000+ on average.
• Steers – Castrated young male bison steers who cannot reproduce provide a safer, more docile option for managing and harvesting exclusively for ample meat quantities down the road. With breeding capabilities and influence removed from their valuation, pricing is more affordable in the $3,000 range out of the gates.

So carefully evaluating each prospective bison addition’s attributes and temperament and how that aligns with your intended plans is essential for determining fair market values before entering negotiations.

Retail and Wholesale Meat Pricing Factors

For consumers seeking to purchase high-quality artisanal cuts of delicious bison meat from ranchers, instead of live animals, the typical cost per pound currently runs:

• Retail Cuts – Specialty butcher shops, co-ops, and higher-end grocers will charge on average $12-$25+ per pound for the most premium retail-ready bison cuts like tenderloin steaks, strip steaks, roasts, burgers, etc.
• Wholesale Meat – Direct from the ranch source, purchasing split halves or quarters of an entire bison carcass to be custom cut and packaged will cost $6-$12 per pound for more budget-friendly bulk processed meat. Expect to pay additional per-animal processing fees to reputable slaughterhouses specializing in bison.

Many interacting factors impact bison meat’s final retail or wholesale pricing, including the specific cut, yield of usable meat, local demand and supply dynamics, and seasonal market fluctuations. When possible, purchasing directly from trustworthy area ranches and negotiating split carcasses provides the very best savings on meat for average consumers.

Market Analysis for the Bison Industry

Several trends are currently intersecting to shape prevailing bison market pricing and make predictions for the near future:

• Surging Consumer Demand – As the health benefits of leaner, nutrient-dense, grass-fed bison meat become increasingly recognized, public demand and appetite has notably driven up overall bison prices over the past 5-10 years.
• Expansion of U.S. Bison Herd Numbers – In response to the growing demand, many established and upstart ranchers are strategically expanding their herds to ramp up market supply. However, bison require 4-5 years for females to mature and start consistently breeding/calving, so supply responses lag.
• Fluctuations in Commodity Prices – Like other livestock markets, bison input costs and pricing are impacted by shifts in broader economy factors like severe weather events, soaring hay/feed costs during shortages, supply chain delays, and more.
• Seasonal Variations – Calves born in Spring inherently reach ideal sales weight and condition entering Fall, when supply is highest just as winter-feeding costs mount. This tends to lower prices entering the holiday meat demand surge.

Gaining a detailed understanding of these key market forces, industry trends, and seasonal factors provides helpful context for both bison meat consumers and live animal buyers or investors seeking to make prudent purchasing decisions and price determinations. Closely monitoring real-time price index reporting and other industry analytics helps ensure fully informed transactions.

What Does Owning and Raising Bison Mean?

Major costs associated with bison ownership include:

• Feed – Grass, hay, silage, supplements. Larger herds have higher feed costs. $2,000-$5,000+ annually per bison.
• Land – Ample grazing acreage and facilities required. Fertilizing, irrigation, maintenance (fencing, shelters, handling facilities). $500-$2,000+ annually per bison.
• Labor – Time for daily chores and seasonal tasks (breeding, calving, vaccinations). May require hired help for larger herds.
• Vet Care – Vaccines, checkups, medical treatments. Emergency care for injuries or illness. $100-$300 per bison annually.
• Transportation – Equipment for humane handling and transit for sales or slaughter.

Operational costs often equate to $1,500-$2,500+ yearly per bison. Larger herds benefit from economies of scale.

Where Can I Find Bison for Sale At Fair Prices?

Reputable sources for purchasing bison include:

• Bison Auctions and Markets – Events like Dakota Bison Association Sales offer buying opportunities.
• Established Bison Ranches – Websites showcase inventory. Look for ranchers with good reputations.
• State Bison Associations – Groups like the Montana Bison Association have member breeder directories.
• Online Listings – Sites like BuyBison.com connect buyers and sellers nationwide.
• Exotic Livestock Auctions – Some auction houses have bison sales. Greater risks since animals cannot be inspected beforehand.

Visiting potential herds allows firsthand evaluation of health, facilities, and operations. Investing upfront time pays off long-term.

Livestock Investment Opportunity

Many ranchers consider bison an appealing livestock investment:

• Longevity – Bison can live 20+ years and remain breeding into their teens.
• Feed Efficiency – They thrive on grazing pasture grasses alone minimizing overhead feed costs.
• Lean Healthy Meat – Increasing consumer demand for low cholesterol, protein-rich bison meat.
• Environmental Sustainability – Bison foster healthy ecosystems and can be raised humanely on open rangelands.
• Unique Value-Added Products – Markets for byproducts like skulls, hides, horns, and breeding stock enhance return potential.

When managed properly, bison offer great potential for consistent long-term profits from quality animals optimized for efficiency.

Bison Costs vs Raising Traditional Cattle

While bison require considerably more land and have higher breeding costs, they provide advantages over traditional cattle:

• Lower Feed Costs – Minimal reliance on grain finishes, silage, or hay once pasture is established. Bison are natural grazers able to thrive on grass.
• Disease Resistance – Heartier constitution and immunity reduces veterinary costs for medications or interventions.
• Leaner Meat – Lower fat content adds health appeal. Carcasses yield ~60% meat versus 50% for beef.
• Higher Meat Value – Bison meat currently sells for significantly higher premiums over beef.
• Longevity – Bison remain productive breeders and nurturing mothers much longer than cattle.

Operational differences certainly exist, but bison provide a worthy alternative livestock investment for dedicated ranchers.

Final Words

While certainly not inexpensive upfront, raising bison armed with realistic expectations around costs and optimization practices can prove a prudent and profitable long-term livestock venture for committed ranchers selecting animals from quality bloodlines and seeking to sustainably meet niche consumer demand for this uniquely health-minded product.

Connecting early on with reputable, established peer sellers for mentorship, thoroughly planning for adequate infrastructure and budgeting for seasonal operating costs, and continually optimizing herd nutrition and genetics paves a clear path for success integrating these iconic, hardy American creatures into a conservatively managed livestock program. Paying reasonable prices from day one for robust stock ultimately rewards visionary ranchers positioning their operations to profitably ride the rising bison wave.

Answers to Common Questions

Does bison cost more than beef?

On average, bison meat costs 20-100% more per pound than conventional beef depending on the cut, typically ranging from $6-$25 per pound for bison compared to $3-$12 per pound for beef. This significant premium reflects bison’s leanness, perceived health benefits, and artisanal production compared to mass-produced beef.

How much does it cost to process a whole bison?

Processing an average 1,000 lb. bison will generally cost $1,000-$2,000 including slaughter, packaging, freezing, cutting, wrapping, and delivery fees. USDA-approved facilities specializing in bison offer boutique services.

Handling large carcasses requires special equipment. Plan processing schedules 6-12 months out.

How does bison taste?

Bison has a very similar taste profile to grass-fed beef, but even richer with a hint of sweetness. The meat is extremely lean with fine marbling. Many describe the flavor as beef turned up a notch – robust, meaty, and savory.

The tenderness equals prime beef when properly prepared due to the leanness. Most find bison delicious and craveable once tasted!

Can bison be farmed?

Bison can be successfully raised on traditional ranching operations optimized with ample space for grazing herds and specialized handling facilities. Over 400,000 bison exist in North America, with around 150,000 on private ranches and the remainder on public lands.

Their needs differ from cattle but can be sustainably managed. When appropriately cared for, bison thrive under human stewardship.