is bison more sustainable than beef
Thus, eating grass-fed bison may be a more sustainable choice. It’s not a very satisfying answer, but the only undeniable conclusion of this question is that bison ranching can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly than some forms of cattle ranching. The National Bison Association recommends cooking the meat rare to medium. | Purpose sells, Natural Products Expo Virtual: Everything you need to know, Danone welcomes Follow Your Heart to its plant-based family of brands, Study panned regarding effects of vitamin C and zinc on COVID-19, Certified B Corporation: 15 natural companies newly approved, What Natural Products Expo West and Expo East will look like in 2021, Unboxed: 5 natural beverages with superfruit superpowers, nutritious meat produced from animals humanely raised in a sustainable manner, Allowed HTML tags: . Askew, who’s currently studying how the fat content in bison versus beef affects blood flow, found similar nutritional differences in entirely grass-fed beef and bison products. Although similar in taste, different animals make up beef and bison. That can reduce the amount of fuel and manufactured or gathered food a bison needs. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. And with bison meat boasting more protein and less cholesterol and fat than cow beef, it is no wonder more Americans are putting it on their dinner plates. The cattle industry processes 125,000 animals daily. Among their key differences, bison are more resistant to disease and rarely require veterinary care or antibiotics, Carter says. Which brings us to our next point. Bison like to eat perennial grasses, while cattle, though they’ll also eat grasses, like to eat forbs – a term used to refer to, often, wildflowers like clover, milkweed, and sunflower. Both lean and ground contain less fat than beef. Studies indicate that cattle generally prefer to hang out around trees and water sources much more than bison do; other studies indicate that the presence of cattle around water sources can have an extremely negative effect on the cleanliness and biodiversity of these environments. Bison is a leaner protein than beef and may be a healthier choice if you’re looking to maximize your nutritional benefit while reducing your calorie or fat intake. It would bring a bit more “wild west” into the Western US, and possibly support more local economy. Even so, compared to corn-fed beef, grass-fed bison finished on corn have one-third to half the fat content, less saturated fat, more unsaturated fat, fewer omega-6s and more omega-3s, according to research conducted by the University of Utah, University of Wyoming and South Dakota State University. Ranchers must wait longer for a return on their investment because it’s illegal to use growth hormones on bison. It’s also rich in iron, zinc, vitamin B12, omega 3-fats, and the antioxidant selenium. Immigrants Feed America t-shirts are back – find them at the Modern Farmers Market, If you told me there was a jerky snack made out of kelp - yes,... (more), It can keep up to 50 cans chilled for up to 36 hours and collapses... (more). The hands-off approach does have a drawback. The meat is best prepared on low to medium heat or indirect heat when preparing on a grill. New Hope Network is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC. “We’re starting to see bison products more frequently in stores, I think in large part because these retailers have done such a good job with sharing information,” Stephens says. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Lean buffalo meat has 2.4 grams of fat per 100 grams; there’s 7.2 grams in ground bison meat. Bison supplies more vitamin B12, iron and zinc than chicken breast does, but chicken is still a good source of vitamin B6, phosphorus and niacin. As it stands, often, yes – but that’s less an indictment of ranching cattle than an indictment of the way the cattle industry works. Indeed, another contender has slowly grazed its way into the spotlight, garnering attention from health- and eco-conscious consumers for doing just that. If they’re outside, they tend to be crowded in very densely. This is due not only to bison’s low-corn diet, but also to the fact that beef cattle have been altered through the years to naturally have more marbling, even when fed grass. With more attention being paid to sustainability, there is a growing debate about what constitutes sustainable beef production. Turner, a controversial figure in the bison world, sent prices for the animals sky high when he entered the industry in the ’90s and bought up most of the available livestock. “With bison, you’re still getting a tasty product, but you’re also getting more iron, protein, amino acids and B vitamins, and fewer calories and cholesterol.”. Helzer co-authored a study in 2005 that examined a hypothesis that the diet differences between bison and cattle are formed less by basic preference and more by the way they’re ranched, specifically the density of animals. In truth this is all a much more complicated question than it seems. Plus, bison live longer. From Penn State’s guide to bison: “Because of the bison’s rugged nature and calving ease, a veterinarian’s assistance is rarely needed.” That can reduce the need for antibiotics, which can in turn theoretically reduce the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to the USDA, bison burgers have 152 calories and 7 grams fat, which is less than even a 90% lean beef burger (184 calories and 10 grams fat) and a 93% lean turkey burger (176 calories and 10 grams fat). Bison is making a comeback due to more people searching for lean, organic, and sustainable beef alternatives. Cattle have over time been genetically tampered with to be “meat wagons,” says Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. #3 Pork. According to a decade-long study of more than 500,000 Americans published in 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, “11 percent of deaths in men and 16 percent in women could be prevented if people decreased their red meat consumption by one-fifth.”. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Our grass-fed bison is not only a more sustainable meat choice than beef due to bison keeping the ecosystem in check through grazing and produce less greenhouse gas than cows, but it's a healthier option for you and your family. Stephens and Gale, now in their third year operating Mile High Bison, which along with meat sells bison hides, hair and horns, do most of their business at a trading post on their ranch. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Environmentalists also say that grass-fed bison is a more sustainable meat choice than beef because bison keep the ecosystem in check through grazing and produce less greenhouse gas than cows. What’s more, marketers have latched onto the “Bison is heart healthy” line and are promoting it coast to coast. The fat content in bison means bison will cook more quickly so be careful! Bison, however, is generally much leaner than beef, resulting in 25 percent fewer calories and less saturated fat per serving. “We would rather continue to market our products to consumers who appreciate the value of delicious, nutritious meat produced from animals humanely raised in a sustainable manner, than to market large quantities of cheap bison meat.”. The National Bison Association recommends cooking the meat rare to medium. “They are absolutely essential to the ecology of the prairie,” says Kirk Gadzia, founder of Resource Management Services, a New Mexico-based consulting, training and monitoring organization for ranchers. So are bison better for the environment? The American Institute for Most cancers Analysis recommends limiting your purple meat consumption to not more than 18 ounces (510 grams) per week. They are also native to North America, unlike cattle, which were domesticated from Old World animals. “It’s a joke that if ranchers do start raising bison, it’s the first time they can actually take their family on vacation,” Stephens says. Although the animals primarily eat grass, some ranchers finish bison on corn to increase fat content before processing, Carter says. So, rather than serving beef, Bison became our go-to red meat. Having grown up on a cattle farm in Pennsylvania, Stephens thought he had some idea of how to care for his new roaming herd. The primary source of those differences is that bison are not domesticated, which has its pros and cons. Today, of the 225,000 bison in the United States, the National Bison Association estimates that Turner owns 50,000 of them. Fast-forward four or five years, I am working in Montreal, and my chef has no interest in common ingredients. From the dietitians at Pritikin, get the facts. Low and slow is a great rule but be sure to add moisture and acidity. The first few months, the men let the bison roam their 300-acre ranch near Larkspur, Colo., without a long-term plan. At the time, bison was just beginning to hit its stride in the marketplace thanks, in part, to media mogul Ted Turner, who played a critical role in helping to popularize the meat by serving bison at his restaurant chain, Ted’s Montana Grill. “What’s driving demand is that we are something unique,” he adds. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. Langert's comments bring up pointed questions. Bison emit methane, but experts argue their positive environmental impact far offsets their negligible methane output. On the other hand, beef is more likely to be grain-fed and produced in factory farms. They're energy efficient. Unlike its cousin beef, bison has a more alkaline effect on the body, which has many great benefits. Though there aren’t federal laws that govern the production methods of bison, factory farming is not an effective way to raise the animals, Carter says. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. ... As with any steak – let it rest for a few minutes before cutting, but not more than 5 minutes in this case. Pound for pound, regeneratively-raised Bison is … Bison ranchers don’t agree with these methods—otherwise, they would be ranching beef, Carter says. To grow their herd (which currently stands at 90 animals) the ranchers would need to keep more heifers so the animals could reproduce. That was probably a horribly inadequate description - but you'll know what I mean when you taste it. Americans eat nearly 8 ounces of meat a day—that’s double what the rest of the world consumes. “We would rather continue to market our products to consumers who appreciate the value of delicious, Innovation and sustainability: Conventional food companies' 2021 plans, 5@5: E-commerce wins | Amazon killing Whole Foods? There are increasing calls to reduce beef consumption as one response to global warming. Number 8860726. FAT. Taste-wise, they’re quite similar, but bison has a slightly more intense flavor. At the time, bison was just beginning to hit its stride in the marketplace thanks, in part, to media mogul Ted Turner, who played a critical role in helping to popularize the meat by serving bison at his restaurant chain, Ted’s Montana Grill. The prohibition of growth hormones also keeps ranchers from factory farming. Bison are almost always ranched outdoors, in pasture, with a fairly low concentration. Expanding bison ranching would be a great U.S. homegrown step in the right direction. Move over beef, there is a new delicious protein in town taking all your glory! 5 percent of the world’s population, we process 15 percent of the total meat supply, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, which also estimates that U.S. livestock production generates nearly one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Because bison meat is significantly leaner than beef (2.42 grams of fat compared to 8.09 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving), it needs to be cooked longer and at a lower temperature. Meat that’s processed in the spring, after the bison have eaten dormant grasses and hay during the winter, tastes different than meat processed in the fall, following a diet of spring grasses, Stephens says. Bison meat does cost more than beef, even premium, grass-fed beef. Bison’s impact while tramping around the prairies is a bit more nuanced. Well, many of us are happy for this sustainable meat comeback. Registered in England and Wales. You can expect a six-ounce cut of beef to contain 24 grams of fat while an identical cut of bison would contain only 10 grams of fat. His concerns come more than a year after the company pledged to move toward sustainability. And though. The primary source of those differences is that bison are not domesticated, which has its pros and cons. But many Americans don’t know that. “At that point, bison really aren’t bison anymore,” Carter says. Learn how your comment data is processed. Without much marketing, buyers from as far away as Santa Fe, N.M., line up for their products. Let’s take a look at how today’s beef farmers and ranchers are contributing to a more sustainable food supply. Last year, roughly 54,000 bison were processed for consumption in the U.S. “To me, they’re more a symbol of what America stands for than the bald eagle,” Stephens says. But is this “other red meat” too good to be true? What's more, cut for cut, bison has a bit more iron and is leaner than beef. Any thoughts? This leads to the question: is there one production system more sustainable than another? Although the duo has considered doing this, Stephens asks, “Why would you want to process fewer animals when the market for the meat is at an all-time high?” Additionally, most ranchers recognize that the small scale of bison ranching is what makes the industry sustainable. The existence of beefalo notwithstanding, bison and cattle are significantly different animals. 7 Smokable Plants You Can Grow That Aren’t Marijuana, How Goat Poop Illuminates the Future of Biotechnology, Scientists Discover That Pigs Can Play Video Games, Winter Storm Is Devastating Texas Farmers and Ranchers. Due to eating a diet composed mainly of corn or soy, the cattle grow at a … Beef: We’ve had too much for dinner. But is this “other red meat” too good to be true? One reason for the higher cost is that there are simply far fewer bison being raised for slaughter. According to a decade-long study of more than 500,000 Americans published in 2009 in the, Still, even with this information, prying away our steak knives has not, gone well. Bison is also more expensive than beef, so it's worth a closer look at the health claims. A lot of it is done by drug lords looking to diversify and legitimize their illegal profits. Turner, a controversial figure in the bison world, sent prices for the animals sky high when he entered the industry in the ’90s and bought up most of the available livestock. Comparing similar cuts, bison comes out slightly leaner. Bison is more likely to be grass-fed, as — unlike most cattle — they’re usually pasture-raised. So bison are obviously preferable, right? The result is an animal that’s largely dependent on ranchers for survival and general health. These cookies do not store any personal information. I don’t know how far this could go and what barriers we would come up against. What we need is a meat to meet us in the middle—something just as delicious as beef, easier on the arteries, that walks with a gentler environmental hoofprint. Quite simply, they fell in the love with the beast. The National Bison Association promotes it as having only 2.4 grams of fat and 143 calories in 3.5 ounces cooked, compared to 8 grams of fat and 200 calories in a piece of … When allowed to graze, bison and cattle tend to prefer different roughage. And though the United States accounts for only 5 percent of the world’s population, we process 15 percent of the total meat supply, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, which also estimates that U.S. livestock production generates nearly one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases. “If you’re going to eat red meat several times a week, you can make a better choice than going to the supermarket and buying a corn-fed beef product,” says Wayne Askew, PhD, director of the division of nutrition at the University of Utah. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Although the animals primarily eat grass, some ranchers finish bison on corn to increase fat content before processing, Carter says. That said, Chris Helzer at the Prairie Ecologist notes that, well, this isn’t necessarily how this has to go; it’s perfectly possible to simply fence in cattle so they don’t spend too much time at a water source. Pique your customers’ interest in bison meat by using signage to share the following facts. Again, food miles need to be considered and the environmental impact will depend whether the beef is grown in the UK or imported. It is tasty and practically fat free. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Both are good sources of iron, zinc phosphorus, niacin, selenium, and vitamins B6 and B12, although bison is higher … Bison provide plenty of health benefits for people as well. Still, even with this information, prying away our steak knives has not gone well. Because they have naturally adapted to the environment, Carter says, they’re a much heartier animal that thrives with little, if any, assistance. “What’s driving demand is that we are something unique,” he adds. This makes bison a more attractive meat option for anyone looking to start an effective diet regime without giving up meat entirely. Things We Love: CleverMade Snapbasket Cooler, Things We Love: Republic of Tea Daily Greens Single Sips. When ranchers Jason Stephens and Todd Gale purchased their first few head of bison in 2007, they weren’t aware of the animal’s nutritional attributes. Cattle? Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Because of this, it takes 24 to 30 months for a bison to be ready for processing, versus 14 to 20 months for a cow. To the beef community, sustainability comprises much more than environmental considerations. A big source of tropical deforestation. Which is more environmentally sustainable: bison or beef? Bison ranches are also considered far more environmentally-sustainable than cattle farms. In comparison, lean and ground … This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. The men have had to stop participating in their local farmers’ market because they just don’t have the supply to meet demand. It’s generally accepted by bison ranchers that the animals do best when family units are minimally disturbed and each animal is given at least 400 square feet to roam. Friends and family got to taste various cuts of Bison and Beef meat so that they could nominate which makes the Best Steak! Read the latest reviews on our favorite products. According to USDA nutritional analysis, a three-ounce cooked portion (the size of a deck of cards) of bison ribeye contains 150 calories and 2 grams of saturated fat. Here's what you should know about America's original red meat. They easily endure extreme climates—from New Mexico summers to Montana winters—without need for artificial shelter. Bison offers more omega-3 fats than beef, and a better omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Still, the payoff is significantly more—bison meat currently has a market value of $3.17 per pound, while conventional beef is only $1.60. I think there should be an indictment of cattle ranching in tropical and subtropical previously forested areas of South America. https://www.newhope.com/sites/all/themes/penton_subtheme_newhope360/images/logos/footer.png. By the time they turn 15, Carter says, most beef cows are pretty old. This all mostly stems from a general idea that bison, being not domesticated and technically, even when ranched, a wild animal, are more in tune with nature, more balanced in their impact than cattle. As you might have guessed from the calorie count above, bison is considerably leaner than beef. Filet steaks can go for three times that. The Salt Because bison meat is significantly leaner than beef (2.42 grams of fat compared to 8.09 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving), it needs to be cooked longer and at a lower temperature. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. But in the U.S., which does have a corn belt that suffers from cold winters, she believes grain finishing is the more efficient way to produce beef. This consists of meats like bison, beef, pork, and lamb . On average, Americans eat only a 10th of a pound of bison per year, Carter says. “It’s no longer a 40-plus-hour work week—maybe 10.”. They are strong, fierce, ruggedly handsome, and able to withstand nearly anything Mother Nature can dish out. The good news for anyone who wants to try bison: For the same cuts, bison tends to have less fat than beef. As you can see, bison meat has fewer calories, way less fat, and more protein than ground beef. Bison meat picks up the flavor of whatever the animal eats. It’s believed that bison cause less trampling and erosion damage to the plains than cattle, that their diet is higher in grasses and thus less damaging to the long-term chances of the plains environment, and that bison poop functions as a natural fertilizer to their habitats. Meat lovers who are looking for a “low in fat option” will love the Bison Top Sirloin. Even so, compared to corn-fed beef, grass-fed bison finished on corn have one-third to half the fat content, less, Stephens and Gale, now in their third year operating. And like all meat, it’s rich in protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and other nutrients. Premier American Bison® is more delicate than beef and does not respond well to excessive heat. The animals roam as they eat and aren’t prone to overgrazing. They help promote a functional ecosystem by cropping native vegetation, fertilizing native grasses with manure and urine, and stirring seeds into the ground with their hooves as they move. Bison is a leaner protein than beef and may be a healthier choice if you’re looking to maximize your nutritional benefit while reducing your calorie or fat intake. I’ve heard that a lot of the gas from cattle is bad for the ozone in the form of methane gas. So, as it stands now, yes, a random sampling of bison meat is “probably” more sustainable than a random sampling of beef, according to a recent article in Modern Farming. The positive elements are that bison are generally acknowledged to be the hardier species, without requiring shelter even in winter. On average beef produces 5 kg fewer C02 emissions per kg than lamb but over three times more than pork. In part, because there’s less bison meat available, says Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. Americans eat nearly 8 ounces of meat a day—that’s double what the rest of the world consumes. In general, they also need less medical attention. And given the increased focused on sustainability, the sustainability of conventional vs. grass fed beef production is a fair question. Bison, on the other hand, are native to North America and genetically unchanged from the herds that roamed the West and Great Plains until the end of the 19th century. Well, that’s not actually that clear. Sign up for your Modern Farmer Weekly Newsletter. It has a different taste - I'm certainly not a culinary expert, but I'd describe it as a mild sort of "zip" that differentiates it from beef. Moving bison toward beef production levels and consumption would require altering the animals to reproduce quicker, grow faster and pack on more pounds per carcass. Bison, in my experience, is more filling than beef, and it's actually better for you. Whether 100 percent grass-fed or grain-finished, bison meat is leaner than beef, though grain-finishing does increase the fat content somewhat. Check out all our stories from #bisonweek! Even if the business tripled, that would only be a third of a pound per year, which is a far cry from the nearly 65 pounds of beef Americans consume. Hormones and factory principles are based on getting the animal from birth to slaughter as quickly as possible. Buffalo (which should actually be called bison if they are from North America) may just be the answer to our lust for beef thanks to the meat’s sustainability, low fat content and reduced calories. Larkspur, Colo.-based bison ranchers Jason Stephens and Todd Gale call natural products stores their bread and butter in the retail sector. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY . Cattle farming uses billions of gallons of water and, like sheep, cows produce methane as a by-product. What if we had only bison and undulates, on BLM land, and sold culling tags to “ranchers” at a rate that maintained the populations… They could butcher the animals on the spot with mobile butcher units, leaving remains for the Condors and other wild life. All rights reserved. Bison Top Sirloin. Bison also tend to move through watered area because they retain prey instincts, which means that they cause less wear and tear on the land and decrease erosion. Both are good sources of iron, zinc phosphorus, niacin, selenium, and vitamins B6 and B12, although bison is higher … But it’s also likely true that on the whole, a random sampling of bison meat is probably more sustainable than a random sampling of beef. The positive elements are that bison are generally … But it’s also likely true that on the whole, a random sampling of bison meat is probably more sustainable than a random sampling of beef. Today, a sustainable food supply balances efficient production with environmental, social and economic impacts. I know grain fed cows are not as healthy as free range grass fed cows. Bison is a great choice for Keto-friendly diets—it has nearly 25% fewer calories than beef and is lower in total and saturated fat. Beef versus bison: What’s the difference in flavor? But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The flavour of bison is rich and tastier than beef in my not-so-humble opinion. The existence of beefalo notwithstanding, bison and cattle are significantly different animals. However, a worldwide report on wholesome and sustainable diets suggests that you simply restrict your purple meat consumption even additional to about 3.5 ounces (100 grams) per week . It’s this love affair that experts suspect has contributed to a wealth of our health woes, including heart disease and cancer. For comparison, a beef patty of the same size contains 224 calories, 14 grams of fat and 21 grams of protein, according to the USDA.As you can see, bison meat has fewer calories, way less fat, and more protein than ground beef. A bison female may produce calves for her entire lifespan of up to 35 years. But after realizing their herd would eventually procreate to outgrow the acreage, Stephens and Gale concluded that “saving” the bison meant learning to process, market and sell the animals’ meat for profit. “Because bison are a natural part of the North American ecosystem, bison ranching can be a beneficial to the natural environment,” writes the National Bison Association, a promotional group, on its site. At that time, I thought Bison was delicious but saw it as more of a novelty than a staple protein. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. “They’re so intrinsically woven into the history of our country and exemplify a classic American ideal—freedom and adventure.”. Buffalo may be the answer to our lust for beef thanks to the meat’s sustainability, low fat content and reduced calories. Many bison cuts have a lot of artery-damaging saturated fat, more than some cuts of beef. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. It’s generally assumed that subsisting on grasses is preferable to forbs; forbs are more rare, slower to grow, and support vital other micro-environments for pollinators like butterflies and bees. Bison meat is lower in cholesterol than beef, pork, turkey, skinless chicken and even some fish. While naturally occurring wildfires keep the prairie healthy by removing dead vegetation, preventing the invasion of trees and increasing the nutrients available in the soil, “we’re finding that fire alone without grazing is not enough to promote species diversity,” he says. Eating grass-fed bison can be a more sustainable choice than eating grain-fed beef because of differences in farming practices. But as demand for bison continues to grow, the question on most ranchers’ minds is “how can we keep bison from becoming the next beef?”. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The companies that developed the drugs never petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval to use the substance on bison, Carter says. What he didn’t know was that the similarities between cattle and bison end largely at grazing and cud chewing. No animal is more synonymous with the Wild West than the bison. Today, of the 225,000 bison in the United States, the, Better for us, better for the environment, “They are absolutely essential to the ecology of the prairie,” says Kirk Gadzia, founder of, Bison provide plenty of health benefits for people as well.
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