Farm

Farmed Bison Welfare and Conservation Ranching

North American bison are increasingly farmed for meat, with conservation ranching models that allow more natural behaviour than conventional cattle operations.

Key Facts

Bison were nearly driven to extinction in the 19th century and have recovered to around 500,000
Conservation ranching allows bison to roam extensively with minimal intervention
Bison retain strong wild instincts making handling more stressful than for domestic cattle
Some Native American tribes manage bison herds as part of cultural and ecological restoration

Welfare Considerations

Bison welfare is best served by low-intervention ranching with extensive land. Confinement and intensive management cause significant stress. Conservation ranching models that prioritise natural behaviour provide high welfare and ecological benefits simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support bison conservation and ranching organisations
Choose bison meat from certified conservation ranching operations
Engage with Native American bison restoration projects and their welfare approaches