RANCHING AND ANIMAL WELFARE
Bison quality begins on the ranch. All Certified Bison ranches must maintain regenerative agriculture practices with pasture-raised animals, grain-finished, and handlers meet strict, nationally recognized animal welfare standards.
SPECIFICS INCLUDE:
· Certified Bison must meet established national animal welfare standards as outlined in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) Method of Livestock Act. In addition, Certified Bison ranchers recognize and adopt the practices outlined in the National Farm Animal Care Council.
· Animal stress has long been found to affect meat quality. Certified Bison animals endure limited human interaction, to ensure a generally “happy” animal.
· Feed is critical to the quality of the final product. Certified Bison can roam and enjoy a free choice-feeding program to ensure the entire herd is well nourished. Certified Bison must follow a strict feed protocol, that starts with quality forages and the free choice feed. All Bison must be vegetarian fed (no animal by-products).
· The Never Ever Promise. Certified Bison are not treated with antibiotics, or hormones of any kind, ensuring a clean, quality product with the sweet robust taste of pure bison. Sick animals treated with antibiotics for animal welfare purposes are removed from the Certified Bison program.