Tuesday, April 05, 2011

A (buffalo) bull market: Meat's demand outstripping supply

Not a day goes by when Jim Hanson doesn't receive emails and phone calls from people requesting bison meat. Unfortunately, the Cle Elum rancher has none to sell. "I have more customers than I can supply. It's an everyday thing," said Hanson, who has raised bison for 21 years at Swauk Prairie Bison. "There will be a real shortage of meat for awhile." The meat -- long touted for its health benefits -- has gained a growing and loyal following in recent years, so much so that national demand has outstripped supply. Although producers are trying to increase their herds, they said doing so requires keeping their heifers from slaughter. More meat will become available in coming years, but for now, they said there's little they can do. Bison meat is low in fat and cholesterol and devoid of antibodies and hormones, said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association in Westminster, Colo. But because the meat was rumored to be tough and gamey, there wasn't much interest in it until 2000. "We had to get people to take their first taste of bison," Carter said about his association's marketing efforts. "Then they wanted more." The benefits of bison, Carter said, are that they take care of themselves, they calve on their own and they're known for surviving even the most severe weather conditions...more

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a bull (BS) market for sure!

johnr said...

seven dollars a pound for hamburger meat. Horse meat would fill the bill at way less cost.