IBC2000-8 Production

Program Session:  Bison 101

Todd Ree, B.Sc., A.Ag.
Program Head, Diversified Livestock,
Lakeland College,
Vermilion, AB Canada

Todd Plandowski,
Golden Valley Bison,
Lloydminster, AB Canada

Introduction

There may be as many reasons to enter the bison industry as there are bison producers.  Each individual will be motivated by a different array of factors but virtually all will be motivated to achieve some level of success.  Planning is an integral component of success.

Objectives

The objectives of this presentation are the following:

1. To share our combined knowledge with new producers to help answer some of  the important Bison Ranch Start-Up questions

2.  To develop an Annual Bison Production Calendar of Events for a bison cow/calf operation 

Bison Ranch Start-Up 

•      Why raise bison?
        -increase profit?
        -diversify existing operation - fits into existing operation?
        -take advantage of a new trend/market in agriculture?
        -bison production philosophy?
        -the animal and its traits?

Where to Start!

• Invest in the development of a strong market! 
• Support some kind of large (perhaps global) marketing initiative

Land

•Land
       –purchase the best land available
•good grass production leads to increased animal production
•fewer acres generally means lower fence cost 
•should grow grass bison will readily consume 
         –bush coverage not necessary
•poor grass production
•can’t find animals in trouble
•although, bush will act as protection for injured breeding bulls
•Collect samples and test for mineral content in
       –soil
       –existing grass
•Water
          –not too much land under water
        –bison can fall through ice in winter
•fence dugouts so animals won’t wander into/onto them
•pump water into troughs (solar, windmill)
•keeps water cleaner
        – test water often (annually)
•water quality will affect animal health and feed consumption (salts, heavy metals, microorganisms will affect palatability and/or reach toxic levels)
          – bison will eat snow as a source of water in the winter
•fresh water is best for calves
        –make cows walk for water
•keeps them fit before calving
        – build dugouts properly
•minimal grade, good solid footing
•How much do you need?
        – Just enough: as a starting point, bison needs should be equated to beef cattle requirements in your area until you become familiar with  their needs

Purchasing Livestock

• Know from whom you are buying
        –best to purchase from a reputable producer
•Get as much history on the animals as possible
           –age, health,  production, weights, lineage

Purchasing livestock represents a substantial investment and deciding on what age, gender, and type of animals to purchase obviously requires a great deal of attention.  The animals you purchase should reflect the ultimate goal of the operation; purchase the highest quality females possible for a cow/calf operation and males for a feeder operation, etc.  However, there are many strategies that can be used to develop the type of operation you want.

The following table outlines some of the advantages and disadvantage associated with starting a herd that is primarily composed of a single age group.

Bull power

•      What about bulls?
–       generally you need 1 bull for every 10-15 breeding females
–       bison bulls court cows longer than beef bulls
•      Mature proven breeder in a single sire mating system may be as high as 25:1
•      Younger bulls
–       2 year olds  10-15:1
–       3 year olds  18-20:1
•      If the ratio is too high, can lead to:
–       longer calving periods
–       open/unbred cows
•      Bull conformation should complement the cow herd
–       if cows are short and stocky you might want a bull that will add some frame and vice versa
•      Purchase the best bulls possible
–       only a few bulls will contribute to half of the genetic makeup of the calves
•      Purchasing bull calves is not a bad idea
–       less expensive
–       have a good relationship with seller to replace him if poor semen test
–       can sell as a meat animal if he does not meet your expectations
•      Semen test all potential herd bulls

The Farm

•      Paddock size
–       terrain, pasture composition
•         generally there are natural barriers that may outline the size of certain paddocks
–       paddock size is a function of the size of the herd
–       breeding expectations
•         single sire mating systems require smaller paddocks
–       manageable size (80 acres) for fertilizing, weed management etc.
–       smaller paddocks require more fence
•         but will increase the utilization of grass

Fence

•      The type of fence you build will depend on the cost and availability of materials
–       skill of builder - welding
–       terrain - extremely hard, rocky ground, frost
•      Posts
–       wood or steel 
•      Fence material
–       barbed wire
–       high tensile page wire
–       high tensile single strand
–       other
•      Electricity is extremely effective
•      Fence specifications
–       perimeter height 5 feet high (you may need to go up to 7 feet if snow pack is a problem)
–       cross fence height 5 feet
–       post size
•         wood 5”-6”
•         steel 2 7/8”
–       post spacing
•         will depend barrier material and terrain
•         barbed wire and single strand high tensile 10 feet-15 feet
•         high tensile page wire 20 feet-30 feet
•      Bracing is extremely important 

 The following are some excellent resources available that describe how to build good bison fence and bracing
–       http://www.fencewire.com/fence.htm
–       http://www.fencewire.com/bracing.htm
–       Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. 1998.  Bison Production: Economic and Production Information for Saskatchewan Producers.

Gates

•      Build them yourself or purchase
–       strong in facility, functional in pasture

Handling Facility

•      Ensure there is:
–       room for expansion
–       easy access from all pastures 
–       lots of pens (minimum 6)
–       access to water from each pen
•      Materials
–       wood
–       steel
–       used belting
•      Facility should be :
–       at least 7 feet high
–       accessible by machinery
•         manure removal
•         snow removal
•         animal removal
–       solid enough to withstand the pressure of handling bison
–       functional enough to be operated by as few people as necessary

Bison Production Annual Calendar  

•      Bison cows will produce calves annually
–       there will be specific events that will occur every year
–       to optimize production one should be prepared for these events

Pre Calving:  March - April

•      March - April
–       pre-calving nutrition (winter feeding)
–       dystocia (calving difficulty) can be caused by over fat cows
–       8-9% protein hay (timothy)
–       60/40 hay straw
–       access to mineral
–       make cows exercise
•         place feed and water as far apart as possible
•      Collect and check fecals for parasites
–       if parasite load is present use Safeguardä in feed or water
–       will reduce the number of eggs deposited on pasture over summer
•      Move cows to calving pastures
•      Monitor calving frequently

Calving: April - June

•      April 15 - June 15
–       feed cows for milk production
–       cows will be in a negative energy balance and will lose weight
–       give cows access to best pasture and feed available
–       dystocia (calving difficulty) was once assumed to be at a rate of about 1 in 700
–       calving difficulties seem more prevalent in inexperienced animals
•      Dystocia in older cows generally caused by malpresentations
–       if possible move animal into handling facility and pull calf
–       otherwise tranquilize animal and pull calf
•      Colostrum - first milk
–       allows cow to pass some immunity to calf
–       calf is best able to absorb immunity in first 6 hours
–       after 24 hours cow drastically reduces production and calf is unable to absorb colostrum
–       use bison colostrum if possible or dairy

•      Pasture - large
–       cow can isolate herself for calving
–       no bush
–       easy access to facility
–       easy access to monitor calving
–       cows are more settled if they return to the same pasture each year to calve
–       minimal porosity fence so calves will not accidentally escape
•      Bulls, and young stock should have access to feed, water and mineral

Pre Rut :  June - July

•      Flushing
–       the practice of feeding both males and females high quality feed prior to breeding season to increase conception rate
–       up to 6 to 8 weeks prior to breeding season  
–       estrus and sex hormones are a function of body condition
–       common to feed whole oats
–       supplement may not be necessary if animals have access to lush pasture with plenty of feed

Rut: July - October

•      Bison are seasonally polyestrous
•      Rut occurs late July until end of September
•      Breeding bulls should be in good shape going into rut
–       ensure that the bull you want to do most of the breeding is the dominant bull
–       try to avoid using only 2 bulls in one paddock
•      Ensure there is adequate space for courting to minimize the risk of calf injury –       too much space can fracture group and dominant bull may not do most of the breeding
–       in single sire system will extend calving season
•      Sire selection
–       bull should complement cow herd
•      Pull bulls October 1
–       control length of calving period
•      Collect fecals
–       check to see if spring treatment (if necessary) was effective
–       if lungworm is a problem treat with Safeguardä

Weaning: October – January

It is always important to have a good working relationship with your local Veterinarian.  Consultation with your Vet will help you develop the best vaccination program based on your location.
•      Vaccinations, parasite treatment.
–       cows and calves
•         8 way vaccine (blackleg)
•         Ivermectin family pour-on, injection
•         IBR/BVD/PI3 on bull calves
–         use killed vaccine
–         need booster 3 weeks later
–       dehorn
–       apply large dangle tags
•      Put calves out with cows and match pairs
–       make sure the pairs are matched several times
•      Run through again and sort calves from cows to wean
–       give bull calves booster shot (IBR/BVD/PI3)
•      Vaccinate bulls and heifers in winter

Winter Feeding: October - May

•      Feed close to handling facility to minimize pasture damage
–       minimizes spread of weed seeds from purchased hay
•      Feed selection - calves
–       best hay available 13-14%
–       oats for 30 days after weaning |
–       fresh water
–       free choice mineral
•      Cows
–       timothy hay 8-9% and straw
–       60/40 hay straw mix
–       snow
–       free choice mineral
–       monitor body condition
•         look for fat at tail head - should not look swollen
•      Breeding bulls
–       same hay as calves (13-14%)
–       free choice whole oats for 30 days after rut
–       snow
–       free choice mineral
•      Yearlings and 2 year olds
–       good hay (13-14%) 60/40 with straw
–       fresh water
–       free choice mineral

Closing

The bison industry is strong and vigorous, and expanding at a fantastic rate.  Careful planning and forethought can help any producer develop a strong foundation on which to build for a bright future.