Page 29 - Trending Magazine 2018 Spring

Good Eats Bison_Layout 1 18-03-16 2:03 PM Page 4

The future of bison a strong case for it “I’m sure at least one of them will
production in Manitoba want to be there.”
remains bright according to, Manitoba Bison This next generation, aged four to 21, have already
Association President Nolan Miller with the current taken to opening gates and ear-tagging calves.
North American marketplace able to accommodate Bison ranching is an industry with high startup costs
as much as 30 per cent more product without and long-term payoffs, one that lends itself best to
requiring any additional marketing. multigenerational farming.
“They can market it faster than “The industry is growing rapidly in genetics, so
we can grow the herd, so we’re getting animals that are ready
there’s big potential for slaughter in 18 months.”
there for new His cross of woods and
producers to get plains bison allows for
in,” he said, “We’re a greater genetic
just trying to get diversity that makes
the education out selective breeding
there to get more efforts more effective.
people involved He’s constantly
raising bison.” aiming to improve the
At Bison Spirit Ranch, quality of his stock,
Gompf is looking at the long-term, and cognizant of the fact
while he’s a ways off from retirement he’s that whatever he
already considering the possibility of passing does today will
the farm on to whichever of his four sons are impact the family
interested. business for decades to come.
It’s too early to say whether any of them would be His current favourite breeding bull, Rock Star, is a
interested, but it’s safe to say that Gompf will be make four-year-old recognized for his gaining ability.
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