The Great Plains bison is the largest terrestrial mammal in North America, and one of the largest wild cattle in the world. While the bison is no longer an endangered animal, the flavor profile of the original wild, range-fed bison is harder to find, as native grasses and fescues are replaced with cultivated commercial forage and some bison are being finished in feed lots and fed grains. Over the years, genetic integrity of the bison has also been compromised. Inbreeding has led to leg problems, while some animals have been bred with cattle to produce sterile ‘cattalos.’ Bison have also been known to carry brucellosis and tuberculosis, particularly in the wild herds managed by the U.S. and Canadian governments.
With the inclusion of the Great Plains Bison on the Ark of Taste, Slow Food Canada intends to highlight those producers who have gone to great lengths to raise these majestic animals in a way that most closely resembles the natural environment of the Wild Plains bison. Therefore, in promoting bison as a Slow Food Ark product we intend to ensure firstly genetic purity: breeding in the herd occurs naturally, without artificial insemination or embryo implant. The animal has not been crossed with domestic cattle. The animal is disease free and is not medicated; this includes the routine use of antibiotics and systemic wormers in a feed ration. Animals can be treated for disease with antibiotics but cannot be sold for consumption. Secondly, animals are grass-fed and grass-finished with access to native grasses. While occasional supplements of oats and forage hay, which does not contain genetically modified organisms are acceptable for inclusion on the Slow Food Ark, feeding of high protein grains such as barley and wheat, which can lead to liver damage would not be acceptable for an Ark product. The animals are not finished in feedlots or treated inhumanely. Finally, the traceability: that each animal is slaughtered and processed individually and that the meat from that animal is not ground or mixed with the meat of other animals. So it is possible, when the meat of a specific producer is served, for a consumer to know short production line.
The history of East Central Alberta is closely linked to that of the North American Buffalo, or Bison. These great animals once roamed from Canada to Mexico, spanning the plains and the mountains. Their former numbers are commonly estimated at 60 million. Bison were the center of life for the Plains Tribes of Native Americans and the Métis, providing them with food, shelter, clothing and spiritual inspiration. Multiple factors led to the decimation of the massive buffalo herds that once roamed the Great Plains of North America. These factors included diseased animals brought on by stress; increased hunting by indigenous Plains inhabitants to supply the trade in buffalo hides, robes and tongues; and the elimination of buffalo herds by Canadian and American governments in order to starve the indigenous people and make their removal to the reserves easier.
Where to source:
British Columbia
Island Bison
250 650 9303
3100 Hamm Road
Black Creek, BC
www.islandbison.com
sales@islandbison.com
Alberta
Thundering Ground Bison Ranch
780 985 2463
R.R. #3
Calmar, AB
Helbig2@gmail.com
Also available at:
Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market
780 439 1844
10310 83 Ave
Edmonton AB
http://osfm.ca/
First Nature Farms
780 356 2239
Goodfare AB
www.firstnaturefarms.ab.ca
jerrykitt@gmail.com
also available at:
Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market
780 439 1844
10310 83 Ave
Edmonton AB
http://osfm.ca/
Homesteader Health
780 538 1133
10012 -99 St.
Grande Prairie, AB
Tumbleweed Bison
403 546 2542
Just off Hwy #575, six miles east of Acme or six miles west of Hwy #21 (see website for driving directions)
Acme, AB
Bernice@tumbleweedbison.com
www.tumbleweedbison.com
Valta Bison
403 237 9667
703-23rd Ave SE
Calgary, AB
bison@valtabison.com
www.valtabison.com
Buffalo Horn Ranch
403 556 2567
RR 2, Site 7
Olds, AB
Peter@buffalohornranch.ca
www.buffalohornranch.ca
also available at:
Bearspaw Lions Club
Just outside the Calgary city limits on the 1A highway West
Cochrane Farmers Market
9 AM – 1 PM Saturdays June until September
In the parking lot of the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site
www.cochrane-environment.org/farmers-market
Olson’s High Country Bison
403 313 6200
www.olsonshighcountrybison.com
Available at
Calgary Farmers Market
403 240 9113
510 -77 Avenue SE
Calgary AB
http://www.calgaryfarmersmarket.ca/
Planet Organic South
403 252 2404
10233 Elbow Drive SW
Calgary, AB
Also:
7917 104th Street
Edmonton AB
http://www.planetorganic.ca/ourstores/calgarysouth/
Community Natural Foods
403 229 2383
1304 10 Avenue SW
And 202 61 Avenue SW
Calgary AB
Nutters Bulk and Natural Foods
403 989 6354
102 -400 Main Street NE
Airdrie, AB
Also
900A Railway Avenue
Canmore, AB
Okotoks Natural Foods
403 938 0808
201 Southridge Drive
Okotoks AB
Ontario
Cape Chin Bison Farm
519 592 5010
94 East Road
Lion’s Head, ON
capechinbison@amtelecom.net
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