Bison Program

Bison by redbud tree

The Tribe initially acquired a small herd (24) of bison in 2002 from a private rancher Lay Valley Bison Ranch in Craig, Colorado. A surplus of 20 bison was acquired in 2003 from Windcave, South Dakota through InterTribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC). Another surplus of 10 bison was acquired in 2004 from the Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, also through the assistance of ITBC. Currently the Tribe has 62 bison. The herd can be seen when one comes to visit the eagle aviary. Please contact Ken Knight for further information.

The Tribe has been able to supply bison meat to Tribal members at least once a year since 2006. In 2007, we were able to provide bison meat twice to all Tribal members. Bison meat is also provided for the annual Pow-wow and other large events. Bison bones, hides, and other body parts have been distributed to Tribal members for cultural, ceremonial, and educational purposes. The Tribe also owns a bison box which contains a bison hide and other important cultural items. This box is used to educate the surrounding community through school programs and other programs.

The bison program is funded through ITBC and the Tribe. Revenue includes the sale of bison to other bison producers and to individuals. The Tribe is working towards the goal of selling bison products at local stores and farmers markets. In order to have a sustainable herd and business, more rangeland is required to have a larger herd as well as improved grasslands on our current rangelands.

On the approximately 240 acres of rangeland, we have a total of 5 pastures. A rotational grazing plan is in place. The rotational grazing will hopefully bring the rangelands back to an acceptable condition. Native grasses have also been planted. Burning is also another management practice used to help improve our bison rangelands.

Flat Top, A twelve year old bison from Wind Cave, SD is the herd bull

Importance of Bison

Bison were historically important to the Ioways and many other tribes because they provided food, tools, clothing and shelter. Native Americans believe that the reintroduction of the bison to tribal lands will help heal the spirit of the Indian people and of the bison as well. In bringing back the bison, the Tribe is essentially restoring a key part of the Iowa culture. Tribal members benefit greatly through the use of bison meat in their diets, especially since diabetes and heart disease are prevalent in Native American communities. Outreach programs are valuable since they allow Tribal members, neighboring school children and community members to observe the bison, learn about their historical roles, and understand their use and importance in the Native American culture.

Establishing the bison population for the Ioways on Tribal lands is also important in terms of ecosystem restoration. Extirpation of native grazers, habitat fragmentation, increased nitrogen deposition from the atmosphere, and altered fire frequency has disrupted grassland ecosystems worldwide. There are studies in other regions of the United States that have demonstrated that bison grazing increases biodiversity in North American grasslands, even during periods of frequent burning and other stresses. In general, spring fires enhance the growth of certain grasses, and herbivores such as bison preferentially graze these grasses, keeping a system of checks and balances working properly, and allowing many plant species to flourish. The role of the bison in the restoration of the plains animals and plants will ultimately mean a sustainable ecosystem for the Iowa tribal lands.

Bison Facts

• The bison is the largest land mammal in North America.
• There are two subspecies of American buffalo (Bison bison)—Plains Bison and (Bison athabasca) Woodlands Bison. Plains Bison are found in the Midwest United States and Woodlands Bison are found in more northern areas.
• Approximately 60 million bison roamed North America prior to European colonization when the bison was nearly hunted to extinction. Today the American bison population is estimated between 350,000–500,000.
• Size – mature bull weighs an average of 1,500–2,000 pounds and can be 6ft tall at the shoulders. A mature cow can weighs an average of 1,000–1,500 pounds.
• Bison are ruminants (cud-chewers) and have four stomachs.
• Diet – Bison feed on grasses and other vegetation. A bison herd will travel 2 miles a day searching for food.
• A bison cow will produce one 40–50 pound calve a year. The gestation period is 9 months long. A bison cow can produce 38 calves in its life span.
• A bison can run at 35 mph for 30 minutes if necessary.
• Both male and female bison have unbranched horns which are a permanent part of the skull. Horns start to grow on calves when they are 2 months old.
• Bison can live to be approximately 25 years old.
• Bison are able to jump higher than 6 feet and they are able to swim.
• For 1 ounce of bison meat, there is 31 calories, 0.4g of fat, 6g of protein, and 19mg of cholesterol. (For comparison 1 ounce of beef contains 37 calories, 1g of fat, 6g of protein, and 16mg of cholesterol.)

Cattle Program

• The Iowa Tribe currently has a small herd of cattle on pasture; including bulls, cows, young heifers and calves.
• The cattle are of mixed breeds, and are bred to Angus bulls for calving ease and to suit market demands.
• The Iowa Tribe has had a cattle program since 1995, and it is used for the sale of cattle and to provide an alternative food source for Tribal members.

Links

Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative

Contact

Ken Knight, Agricultural Specialist
kknight@iowanation.org
405-547-5433 ext 230