In the next few weeks, USDA will be launching the first ever national study of the US. Ranched bison industry. South Dakota is the leading bison producing state. Association President Bruce Anderson of Rapid City says the study should help identify the needs of producers and help target resources to help the industry grow. He says the study will also help in dealing with bison disease issues which have already been overcome by the cattle industry.
Anderson says he’s hoping the study will also help the bison industry deal with a disease that’s fatal to their animals and that is common in sheep.
Anderson says there is a good international market for bison meat, most of that in Europe. He says most of their market however is domestic.