Management, gain and productivity of Peace Country bison (Bison bison)

Abstract

Three thousand three hundred twenty-nine (3329) bison from 16 Peace Country bison herds were weighed between November 1992 and October 1994 to determine body weight, gain and to measure herd productivity. A survey of management practices was used to develop three producer profiles: 1) small herds (∼30 head), 130 ha and significant off-farm responsibilities, 2) full-time – 110 breeding females on 1040 ha, and 3) large ranches – 450 breeding females on 2080 ha. Calf winter weight was significantly (P < 0.0001) affected by HERD, YEAR and GENDER with males (196 ± 2.0 kg) significantly heavier (P < 0.0001) than females (180 ± 2.6 kg). Calves of both genders were heavier in 1993 than in 1992. Producers reporting herd health problems also had calves with lower (P < 0.0001) winter weights than herds reporting no health problems (175 ± 1.2 kg vs. 198 ± 1.2 kg). Seasonal ADG ranged from −0.08 kg d−1 to 0.56 kg d−1. A significant relationship existed between winter ADG and subsequent summer ADG (Y = −0.50X + 0.71; P < 0.0001). The results from this study of Peace Country bison are sufficient to serve as industry benchmarks to which producers can compare their herds. Key words: Bison, management, weight, gain, productivity