Bison Brought This Family Back To Their Farming Roots

Bison Brought This Family Back To Their Farming Roots LIVESTOCK Exotic Animals When Denver and Becky Johnson of Prince Albert Saskatchewan decided to return to the farm they decided to raise bison Becky’s family ran a grain farm in the area and when they began switching production from conventional to organic they started growing more alfalfa and hay to help choke out the weeds “Since there was plenty of hay we partnered with my family to bring livestock to the farm ” says Becky “We wanted self-sustainable livestock that was good for the land and bison have a long history of giving back to the soil through their grazing habits They don’t need the same level of hands-on management so Denver was able to remain a full-time firefighter while we began the bison operation Together we took over running the livestock and created Bison Ridge Farms ” The farm’s 150 bison rotate through 40 50 or 100-acre pastures grazing entire plots before moving on The main herd is 61 cows with four breeding bulls and a secondary herd contains 17 heifers with another 25 joining them this winter The Johnsons market their top yearling bull calves for breeding at winter auctions but their primary market has become farm-to-table meat products Animals are butchered and packaged at a neighboring town’s slaughterhouse and the meat is sold either direct from their farm store or through online sales Orders are distributed by the couple or shipped via a larger delivery company “Bull calves not making the cut as breeders are finished on a 90-day free choice ration of oats and pellets alongside their day-to-day grazing The ration becomes about 20 percent of their diet ” Becky believes the bison are special animals as they give back to the soil and don’t just take what they need from it Their natural habits increase soil health as they move about and leave their manure They keep the forest at bay with their rubbing and trampling habits “The meat is proven to have a lot of health benefits as well ” she says “It’s very rich in iron and protein and low in fat and carbs so there’s a big health aspect We’ve had much praise from people struggling with high cholesterol and gut issues Their ability to consume the red meat of the bison has seemed to improve their health ” The young couple hopes to keep raising bison and expand sales to local restaurants and retail outlets Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Denver & Becky Johnson Bison Ridge Farms Buckland Rd Prince Albert Sask Canada S6V 5R3 ph 306-930-6760; www bisonridgefarms com

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