USDA Releases Comprehensive Report Conducted on Bison Health and Management

Bison 2014 Report Called ‘Deepest Dive Ever’ Into Bison Ranching

Westminster, CO (December 23, 2016) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)  this week released the final report on the most comprehensive study ever conducted on the health and management practices on United States bison farms and ranches.

The 200-page report, entitled Bison 2014 – Health and Management Practices on U.S. Ranched-Bison Operations, is the result of a three-year comprehensive epidemiological study of the American bison herd spearheaded by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The epidemiological study was initiated after the National Bison Association submitted a formal request to USDA in 2013.

“Bison 2014 represents the deepest dive into modern bison business ever conducted,” said NBA Executive Director Dave Carter. “The information in this report will provide herd managers, bison association leaders, and public policy makers with some significant information regarding the key areas for focusing public and private resources.”

The final report notes, “The Bison 2014 study was conducted in all States and provides information on health and management practices on U.S. ranched-bison operations to study participants, stakeholders, and the bison industry as a whole. Most estimates in this report refer to the reference period of July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014.”

The two-year study covered a broad range of issues, including current management practices, bison reproduction, herd health management practices, and disease testing, and population estimates.

A complete version of the Bison 2014 study is available at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/bison/downloads/bison14/Bison2014_DR.pdf