Bison Producers News & Events
Find out the latest industry news and events in the province for Bison Producers.
2013 WILDROSE TROPHY SPONSORS & WINNERS
Trophy Sponsor - Kickin' Ash Buffalo Meat Products (Paul & Perry Kolesar)
Grand Champion Male - 2011 Breeding Bull owned by Bison Coulee Contracting, Brian & Amanda Newton of Trochu, AB
Reserve Champion Male – 2011 Breeding Bull owned by MFL Ranches, Dick & Karina Staudinger of Alix, AB
Trophy Sponsor - Hanson Bison Ranch (Troy & Serle Hanson)
Grand Champion Female - 2011 Yearling Heifer owned by Rioelta Bison Ranch, Leo & Rita Schmaus of Barrhead, AB
Reserve Champion Female - 2012 Heifer Calf owned by Buffalo Hill Ranch, Joe & Georgina Orcheski of Camrose, AB
2011 BREEDING BULLS
TROPHY SPONSOR -- Paulson Cormier & Associates
ClearthinkTM Group (Pierre & Keleigh Cormier)
Gold - Bison Coulee Contracting, Brian & Amanda Newton of Trochu, AB
Silver - MFL Ranches, Dick & Karina Staudinger of Alix, AB
Bronze – Morrin Corner Bison, Art & Kandice Grenville or Morrin, AB
4th - MFL Ranches, Dick & Karina Staudinger of Alix, AB
2011 YEARLING HEIFERS
TROPHY SPONSORS -- Sun Creek Ranches (Cliff & Melloddee Begg) & Big Bend Market (Ivan & Sharlyn Smith)
Gold - Rioelta Bison Ranch, Leo & Rita Schmaus of Barrhead, AB
Silver – Alberta Bison Ranch, Neil Hochstein, Mayerthorpe, AB
Bronze – Morrin Corner Bison, Art & Kandice Grenville or Morrin, AB
4th - Rioelta Bison Ranch, Leo & Rita Schmaus of Barrhead, AB
2012 BULL CALVES
TROPHY SPONSOR – Alberta Bison Ranch (Neil Hochstein)
Gold - Buffalo Hill Ranch, Joe & Georgina Orcheski of Camrose, AB
Silver – Bison Coulee Contracting, Brian & Amanda Newton of Trochu, AB
Bronze – Providence Wood Bison, John & Doris Pilon of Ponoka, AB
4th – Beaver Creek Wood Bison, Brad Ramstead of Fort McMurray, AB
2012 HEIFER CALVES
TROPHY SPONSOR – Elk Valley Ranches (Frank & Donna McAllister)
Gold - Buffalo Hill Ranch, Joe & Georgina Orcheski of Camrose, AB
Silver – Maple Roo Bison, Peter & Doreen Neilley of Rocky Rapids, AB
Bronze – Rioelta Bison Ranch, Leo & Rita Schmaus of Barrhead, AB
4th - Bison Coulee Contracting, Brian & Amanda Newton of Trochu, AB
Pictures from 2013 Wildrose Bison Convention
“Welcome to the 2013 Wildrose Convention”
“Check out bison snacks for the Space Station”
“For the winners of the Show & Sale”
“Restaurateur Normand Campbell talks about bison in his restaurants”
“Normand’s treating the crowd with a treat from his restaurant, Bison Carpaccio”
“Bison health with Dr Clair Windeyer”
“Profitability in bison production”
“Time to talk about social media”
“Feeding tips for today’s marketplace”
“Sharing some Best Practices”
Take a look at some of the Western Producer's news coverage of the weekend events
Strong meat price leads to heard decline
PONOKA, Alta. — Ask Thomas Akerman how the bison industry is doing and he needs to change hats during the conversation.
As marketing manager for Canadian Rangeland Bison, business is booming.
Meat sales are strong with reliable markets in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
“With meat prices, we’re doing really well. People love it and the business is growing,” he said during the Wildrose Bison Show and Sale March 15.
When he switches to his bison producer hat, the business is not quite as rosy. After toughing out BSE, drought and a herd of other problems, older bison producers are taking advantage of high meat prices and getting out of the business.
“The breeding end seems to be hit and miss,” said Akerman of Green Horizon Farms near Lacombe, Alta.
During the last Canadian census, there were about 200,000 bison in Canada. As in other agricultural industries, farmers are getting older and there are fewer of them. Some are leaving the industry and the ones staying in are expanding their operations.
“We are noticing there is not a lot of new people, but established and bigger operations are seeing succession within the family,” said Akerman, chair of the Bison Producers of Alberta. Almost half of Canadian bison are raised in Alberta.
Click Here to read the rest of this article
Wildrose Bison show and sale results
Fifty bison sold at the Wildrose Bison Show and Sale in Ponoka, Alta., March 15-16 with 12 breeding bulls bringing an average of $3,117 and 12 yearling heifers averaging $1,571.
Click here to see the rest of the results
Wildrose Convention Show & Sale – in Review
Upbeat Participation at WILDROSE BISON CONVENTION SHOW & SALE – 2013
Participants came from across western Canada with 156 attendees taking in the Wildrose convention's learning sessions, banquet and bison show awards on Friday, March 15th. The attendee evaluation survey indicated that they really enjoyed and valued the networking, learning and celebrating everything bison during the convention.
Saturday March 16th, started with breakfast followed by the BPA's Annual General Meeting where members discussed current projects that are underway such as the benchmark study, industry investment & communication strategies. Discussions also identified potential new projects and initiatives the association could undertake that would benefit bison producers in Alberta and Canada.
Participants then reconvened at Vold Jones Vold Auctions (across the street) for this year's Wildrose Bison Show and Sale showcasing premium breeding stock from some of the best bison herds in Alberta.
"We were very excited to have such high quality entries from across Alberta" - said Thomas Ackermann (BPA Chair); adding that - "Buyers have taken home some "mighty fine animals" that are certain to improve the genetics in existing bison herds or set a winning foundation for new entrants to the bison industry".
This years event attracted 50 animals from 13 Alberta ranches competing for top honors. "The sales ring was packed full again this year; indicating a very keen interest in bison from Canadian ranchers" said Ackermann.
Based on the many smiling faces seen during the weekend, the bison industry in Alberta continues to be upbeat.
Top Trophy Winners
Grand Champion Male – (Gold, 2011 Breeding Bull) –Brian & Amanda Newton, Coulee Ridge Bison, Trochu, AB - sold for $5,700
Reserve Champion Male – (Silver, 2011 Breeding Bull) – Dick & Karina Staudinger, MFL Ranches, Alix, AB - sold for $2,400
Grand Champion Female – (Gold, Yearling 2011 Heifer) – Leo & Rita Schmaus, Rioelta Bison Ranch, Barrhead, AB - sold for $2,500
Reserve Champion Female - (Gold, 2012 Heifer Calf) Joe & Georgina Orcheski, Buffalo Hill Ranch, Camrose, AB- sold for $2,700
Gold – 2012 Bull Calves – Joe & Georgina Orcheski, Buffalo Hill Ranch, Camrose, AB – sold for $5,200
Wildrose 2013 Bison Show & Sale Results
Total Sale on 50 head brought $94,600
Take a look at some of the Ponoka News coverage of the weekend events:
Bison show popular in growing industry
http://www.ponokanews.com/business/197786831.html
Bison industry climbing trade market hills
http://www.ponokanews.com/business/199228951.html
Producer conserves at-risk species
http://www.ponokanews.com/business/199227701.html
M. Bovis pathogen information vague in bison breeds
http://www.ponokanews.com/business/199226751.html
WILDROSE BISON CONVENTION SHOW & SALE – 2013
Friday, March 15th & Saturday, March 16th
Ponoka, Alberta, Canada
Come enjoy Bison production seminars, featured speakers, banquet dinner, fun auction, special awards presentation, Annual General Meeting with breakfast, Bison show judges commentary & some mighty fine Bison raised by some of Canada’s best Bison Producers.
| FRIDAY | |
| 1 – 5 PM: |
Bison Production Seminars, Featured Speakers |
| 6 PM: | Bison Banquet Dinner including Fun Auction, Bison Show Awards |
| SATURDAY | |
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM: | Annual General Meeting (open to public) |
| 9:30 AM: | Bison Show Judges Commentary |
| 10:30 AM: | Bison Show at Vold Jones & Vold Auction Market |
| 12 Noon: | Wildrose Bison Sale followed by Commercial Bison Sale |
Convention held at the ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION (Branch #66), 3911 – Highway 2A, Ponoka, AB,
Registration Fee is $40 per Person
Includes: Bison Info Sessions / Dinner Banquet / Awards Presentations / Live Fun Auction / Saturday Breakfast.
Donations Welcomed for Live “FUN” Auction – Please contact Margaret at 780-542-5684
4 Easy Ways to Register:
- Fax completed Registration Form with Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard) information to (780) 955-1990
- Email Registration Form with Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard) information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Call us during business hours at (780) 955-1995
- Mail your Registration Form & Cheque (Payable to BPA) to: # 114, 501–11 Avenue, Nisku, AB T9E 7N5
REGISTER EARLY! LIMITED to 200 REGISTRANTS
 Download Wildrose Convention Notice & Registration 2013 |
| Download Wildrose Bison Entry Form 2013 |
See you in Ponoka !
BPA 2012 REGIONAL MEETING - HIGHLIGHTS
Forty plus bison producers and enthusiasts congregated in Grande Prairie, AB for the Peace Country Regional Meeting this past October. After welcoming comments by Chair, Thomas Ackermann, three sessions were conducted:
- Introduction of the Bison Industry Improvement and Sustainability Project
- RFID Tags Updates
- Chef Insights on Bison
“Bison Industry Improvement and Sustainability” Project - Project Managers: Pierre & Keleigh Cormier
We have been successful in securing ALMA funding to proceed with several BPA projects over the next year and a half (to March 2014). We have been calling this the “Bison Industry Improvement and Sustainability” Project. You will be hearing updates of the multiple projects as we progress but as a start this captures the highlights:
1. Sustainable Bison Production Strategy
- Bison Economics Study: Partnering with the SBA’s Benchmark Study, we are asking for 30 AB producers to join us in this landmark study for the Bison industry. We will be contacting you in the future regarding your participation.
- Review Research Tools: put tools on the website so members can access.
2. Bison Investment Strategy
- Lending/Government Programs: Update lenders on improved state of bison industry.
- Absentee Ownership Investment Program: work to pilot an innovative investment attraction program benefiting existing and potential new producers.
3. Communication Plan
- Website Refresh: update/renew content. Examine how we use our website and how to improve.
- Regional Meetings/AGM: establish network system for stakeholders
Allflex RFID Tag Presentation: Clay Ross
Clay, who is retiring at the end of this year, introduced Rob Leslie as his replacement.
Clay's presentation highlights were :
- Tag Location: left ear as close to the head as possible.
- Applicators – DO use the red or green applicators for both electronic tags and dangle tags, do NOT use old orange applicators
- A new one-piece tag (like the ‘Z’ tag) is being tested, tried on about 8,000 bison with a good report on retention, Pauline (with the CBA) is monitoring the test results, not in the U.S. yet
- A new DNA collecting device being tested by Allflex – traditional DNA tests required hair or scrapping off nose, new device takes a tiny clip of core out of ear, keeps in a vial up to 2 years.
- Noted : Bolus, Brands and Tattooing were not accepted Identifiers for Bison.
- Federal government has mandated the CCIA bar-coded tags and/or RFID bar coded tags are to be used in all meat animals : cattle, bison, elk, sheep, goats, pigs horses and chickens (obvious problems in tagging horses and chickens!)
- RFID Tag readings are unaffected by cold and heat.
- RFID Tag Readers have a maximum distance of 24” because tags are set at a low frequency, frequency cannot be set higher
- Allflex Stick Readers are F.D.X. and H.D.X. –speak to reps before buying.
- Press button, read tags, store the information.
- Allflex supplies the software that downloads the info to computer.
- Panel Readers DO work but are very expensive.
- Noted that NAFTA allows animals from other countries (Mexico, South America) to be shipped to the U.S. and Canada with Bar Code Dangle Tags and RFID Tags.
- Demonstrated an Allflex Tag that did have a production problem, tags did not retain in the ear, Allflex will provide new tags if you have any of these.
Chef Matthew Toni from Madhatter’s Restaurant in Grande Prairie
Chef Toni is an engaging and informative presenter and had many good things to say about his experience with Bison:
- Began using bison as a result of participating in ‘Local Food’ movement in area, teamed up with Glendean Farms (who provide excellent support)
- Bison on daily menu, Month of May was a “Bison Special” month (great success). Chef Toni had 5,700 servings of bison from 2 ½ animals during the month!
- The Madhatter is unique in that they buy and use the ‘whole’ bison – including trim for ground, pates, sausage, heart, liver, tongue, bones for stock, etc.
- Spreading the cost per lb over the whole animal allows a better price on primals.
- His Cooks are passionate about bison, love trying new recipes.
- Madhatters is non-franchised, can change the menu as they wish.
- From a Chef’s perspective :
- Look for local, like to team up with local producers
- In using whole animal, have a hundred options of dishes
- Does not want a fatty animal
- Wants lean, small, manageable cuts
After a wonderful Roast Bison Lunch, the group headed out to the Adam Ranch. A big “thank you!” to Mr. Ross Adam (owner) and Mr. Brian Olfert (ranch manager) who gave us a tour of their handling system.
Everyone enjoyed their time and it was a day well spent!
See you at the Wildrose Convention / Bison Show & Sale !
March 15 and 16 - 2013 - in Ponoka, AB