I have a big announcement!
We are now a certified conservation ranch!
When we started this venture, we were on a health journey ourselves. But, as we researched "how to raise bison" I quickly realized the standards suggested and methods prescribed by many "industry experts" parallel raising domesticated cattle. That was NOT my goal. And, as I've mentioned numerous times, if I wanted to raise cattle - I would have raised cattle.
Against the grain!
So, we had to adapt and find our way along a delicate and arduous trek to actually raise American Buffalo - what you likely imagine in your mind when you hear "buffalo" -- not what the 'industry' has turned into a domesticated version of "bison".
Our first goal was to get our land in good health. And, in doing that, we needed to reverse decades of effects from previous owners' protocols. The soil health was not poor, but it wasn't the quality we wanted. And while we had a lot of Johnson Grass, some fescues and some small bluestem and several of variations of legumes, much of our land was overgrown with thistle, briar, cuckleburrs, and invasive weeds, especially in the wooded areas.
For the past 5 years, I've hand pulled weeds, manually cut and burned areas throughout the ranch, and my husband (my sweet, dear husband) has weedeated every fence post so that chemicals weren't a necessity. I once tried to hire someone to keep up the weed-eating so he didn't come home on the weekends and have to perform hard labor. Two guys came out to look at the job, one of them came out ONCE and got about an hour into the job and left. So much for that.
Anyway, so over time, our wildlife population has returned and thrived.
We have the following (confirmed identifications thus far):
Variations of waterfowl
Wildlife: Coyote
Over seventy confirmed species of birds, including the at-risk whippoorwills and increasingly steady sightings of wild quail and grouse. Of course, our wild turkey population is growing as we continue to re-establish healthy habitats around the ranch. And, once in a while we're blessed and entertained by a visiting river otter at the pond in addition to the raccoons, opossums, and foxes.
Our insect and reptile populations continue to grow as well, with 3 varieties of dung beetles and earthworms everywhere I look, and at least 5 different species of lizards, turtles, and non-venomous snakes. We also now host several different bat species, including the federally endangered gray bat (and unconfirmed Indiana bat - also listed as endangered). Our wild bee and other pollinator species are countless (unless you're a melittologist).
Bison Environment:
In the first published American Buffalo History and Husbandry book, one simple statement grabbed my attention.
"You create a good habitat for all wildlife when you make a home for your buffalo."
If raising American Buffalo is the goal, rather than commercial "bison [meat] production" you will have to put in the work to rehabilitate and establish an environment that is as natural to the ancestors of this species as possible. That includes stewarding the land and improving the environment for the native wildlife in your area.
And, this year, we achieved a short-term goal of being certified as a Conservation Ranch through the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.
We're not boasting or being prideful. But I want to share the fruits of our labor by letting others out there know that you don't have to be a huge ranch out west to achieve a healthy environment for your buffalo. You have to be committed and passionate. You have to put in the hard work. But you do not need ranch hands or a host of specialists. You can do it with time and each time you step out in your fields or walk through your woodlands, you will know you are making progress!
We turned this farm around in less than 5-years. From an old dairy farm that had tons (no kidding) of buried trash and plastic wrap from round bales, a mud hole that only snapping turtles could survive in, and overgrown woods that large or small wildlife found difficult to utilize into a certified conservation ranch.
And it was just the two of us "old folks" out here getting it done for our herd.
I'm sharing this result because YOU CAN DO THIS! You do not have to raise "bison" rotate and build crossfencing (depending on your goals and the amount of land you're working with). You don't have to follow the trends and hike along a commercial trail! YOU CAN DO IT YOUR WAY, the WILD WAY, and frankly, in our opinion -- the most fun and absolute best way for you and your herd! What you shouldn't do is buy into the marketing ploy that "bison" are easy keepers (unless you plan to manage them like cattle and in a traditional ranching atmosphere).
As always, if you have any questions, always feel free to contact me. I enjoy hearing from ya'll and sharing our journey.
The land is looking great! Are you guys staying put?