How do I check a bison ranch’s handling facilities and herd records?

Handling facilities come first, since bison are powerful and not easily moved. Look at the strength of posts and rails, the layout of the alley and chute, the footing and the way animals are sorted. Ask how often animals have broken out or been hurt, and whether handling is done calmly or under stress. An experienced bison handler will notice what a visitor does not.

Next, the herd records. Ask how animals are identified, how breeding, calving, weights and sales are tracked, and how long the records go back. Check a sample of animals against the list, including age and sex. Mismatches deserve an explanation.

Ask about health history, veterinary support and the practices used to care for the animals. Then ask who the buyers are for animals and meat, and whether those relationships stay with the ranch. If the herd is being financed, the lender will want clean records too, so tidy ones help both sides. Ask the seller to walk you through a full gather from start to finish. How calmly it goes tells you as much as the equipment does.

Key takeaways

• Walk the corrals, chutes and fences with an experienced bison handler.
• Match a sample of animals to the herd list by age, sex and identification.
• Ask who buys animals and meat and whether those buyers will stay.
• Ask the seller to walk you through a full gather, start to finish.