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Alberta bison producers showcase growing industry in Ponoka

Annual conference, meeting plus show and sale highlight industry on the move
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A pair of show bison wait their turn to hit the VJV Auction show ring on the weekend during the annual Bison Producers of Alberta annual conference, show and sale March 16 and 17. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

It was a big weekend for the group that continues to press forward in the bison industry and it’s getting larger across the country.

The Bison Producers of Alberta (BPA) held its annual conference and general meeting last week in Ponoka along with a show and sale, attracting a tremendous turnout that is indicative of the growth the industry is witnessing right now.

“We have about 200 people at the conference, a record turnout for our annual conference and general meeting,” stated Roger Van Haren, BPA board chair.

“It’s great to see that, because of the economics and the exciting times we are experiencing in the industry, our membership has grown to about 230.”

Van Haren noted the economics of selling bison meat commercially has improved due to consumers changing their habits along with how their product is being received.

“It’s a general interest in eating healthier and natural meat as well as the animal being an iconic species and people having the appreciation in bison,” he said, adding bison fits right in for people on Paleo-type diets.

“Also, the story of bringing the bison back onto the land, after being nearly driven into extinction, through the hard work of a lot of ranchers in the U.S. and Canada — many right here in Alberta — is a big part of that interest. It’s good to see that consumers driving demand that is seeing the expansion of herds.”

He also noted that while the ballooning market south of the border is helping with growth, demand in Europe is climbing as well.

Record breaker show and sale

The show and sale was also a record breaker this year, with 67 animals consigned in five classes.

The grand champion male and reserve champion female were both from XY Bison in Fort St. John, B.C., while the grand champion female was from Harmony Natural Bison in Windthorst, Sask. and the reserve champion male was from Irish Creek Bison in Vermilion.

“Ponoka is not only a great central meeting place, but our partnership with VJV is excellent as they are the only auction mart in the province that will sell bison,” Van Haren said.

“The show allows new people to get into the business or help those expand a herd or improve their genetics. The past few years, bison cow-calf pairs have fetched between $500 and $1,000 — about double the beef industry average — so we see good profitability continuing for our industry.”

Terry Kremeniuk, executive director of Canadian Bison Association, was also at the conference as one of the keynote speakers and agrees the industry as a whole will continue to see steady growth.

“There is an indication the industry is growing, through looking at the number of animals slaughtered and calves born plus the numbers retained for breeding,” he explained.

“It seems that growth is there and what drives that is sustained profitability, something the industry has experienced for the past number of years. So, people are interested and capital is being attracted to the industry, all good signs of growth.”

Kremeniuk, who also talked about industry trends and projects, plus potential trade implications, noted the return of the bison industry following the 2003 BSE scare was due to cooperation on a North American bison strategy.

“Both countries got together and said if this industry is to grow, we have to work together to make sure consumers are aware of our product. I believe we did a great job of promoting the product around the world, contributing to the price we see today,” he stated.

“Our product is a bit different, as its indigenous to North America, and has a story that is unique.”

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Commercial and show bison, as far as the eye could see, were part of the show and sale at VJV Auctions in Ponoka on the weekend as part of the Bison Producers of Alberta annual conference March 16 and 17. Photo by Jordie Dwyer