BUFFALO BASICS

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Innovative livestock owners are beginning to discover that the animals native to a given area are often hardier and more productive than are "modern" breeds.

by Randy Kidd

"A cold wind blew across the prairie when the last buffalo fell . . . a deathwind for my people," said Chief Sitting Bull. And, indeed, the buffalo's near extinction ranks as one of American history's most shameful tales.

There was a time when the powerful beasts ranged from Virginia to California . . . from Canada to Florida . . . and down into Mexico. In fact, it's been (conservatively) estimated that when Europeans first arrived on these shores, there were over 60 million bison—as they're properly called—in existence . . . amounting to probably the greatest aggregation of large animals ever known to civilized Homo sapiens. Even as recently as the last century, a herd could contain a million individuals, so that "the country was one robe" and "the plains were black and appeared as if in motion".

However, as men and women from the eastern cities moved westward, the situation changed dramatically. The worst of such people wantonly butchered the marvelous creatures, taking just the hidesor sometimes only tongues—and leaving the carcasses to rot until the bone—harvesters could collect their share. Few people realize that this senseless slaughter caused much of the hostility that the Plains Indians—many of whom relied upon the bison for food, shelter, and morecame to feel toward the settlers!

By 1890, only a few small herds remained. More recently, however, as a result of the efforts of conservationists and ranchers who recognized the animals' value, buffaloes once again began to dot the American countryside. Today, there are an estimated 30,000 head-divided among about 400 herds—in the U.S. and Canada. (Although a couple of the groups number over 1,000, most are much smaller.) What's more, bison are, when properly raised, proving to be both enjoyable and highly profitable livestock animals!

A HARDY BREED

The buffalo has one distinct advantage over most domestic cattle . . . its incredible hardiness. With a rough hide and thick covering of woollike hair, a bison (even when very young) can easily tolerate the harsh, frigid winters of the upper prairie states . . . and can weather blizzards that would likely kill entire herds of beef animals.