January 2019 The Buffalo Rancher Official Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Association

What's Happening President's Message January 23-26 Moving Forward in 2019 NBA Winter Conference and Gold Trophy Show A new year is upon us, which presents us with new January 26 opportunities, and maybe a few Gold Trophy Sale challenges. Late February In 2018, we saw a decline in carcass prices. Some say it was RMBA's New Website Launches due to a softening of the market, some say it was a correction in March 2-3 the market after seeing record RMBA Spring Conference high prices the past few years. While the reduction in carcass price was not drastic, and prices In This Issue are still strong, we do need to think about what ranchers need to do to remain financially strong, Page 2 — RMBA at GTSS and support their bottom line. We need to continue to educate Page 3 — Association Updates Demand for bison meat is not them on how to properly cook Page 4 — Fall Tour diminishing. Colorado has some bison so their experience is good. of the highest consumption of Page 5 — Spring Conference This demand will help to keep bison meat in the Nation. For carcass prices high. As more farm Page 6 — Upcoming Events several years now, most to table restaurants open, we see Page 7 — Where Buffalo Roam restaurants in Colorado offered a them looking for locally grown bison burger. Now those Page 8 — Lifetime Members food to offer their patrons - a restaurants are expanding their good fit for bison, and a perfect bison offerings to include bison fit for RMBA members who can steaks. This is great news for our provide these restaurants with a Rocky Mountain Buffalo Association industry. As more restaurants premium product, locally raised, 303 S. Broadway, Ste B522 offer delicious bison, consumers with a good story behind it. Denver, CO 80209 will seek it out to cook at home. Continued on page 2 Proof Reading: Jill Crotty, Patty Smith Publisher and Advertising: Join Us for RMBA's Spring Conference Jen Graves 720-891-9360 [email protected] March 2-3, 2019 Marriot Hotel (c) Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved. No reprints or reproductions in whole or in Westminster, CO part without written permission of the publisher. More information on page 5. President's Message Continued Within our own region, the amount to what is to come. of hay and grass you were able to As a board, we keep reflecting on grow last summer varied. Some what we are doing and how we can locations had ample growth while do things better for our members others had record low yields. and the industry. My goal as Because of this, some of our President is to ensure this members have plenty of hay and Association is one of the Board of Directors grass to keep their animals fed until predominate associations in the PRESIDENT spring, while others are bringing in nation and represents and supports John Graves supplemental hay from all over the members and our bison. As always, CU Ralphie Mascot place. Hay prices typically don’t if you have issues, thoughts, Program vary too much, but this year they questions, or just want to talk feel 303-887-9677 seem to be all over the place. If you free to give me a call. VICE PRESIDENT can find good hay at a good price, Debbie Thieman consider buying a few semi loads I hope to see you all at the NBA Prairie Ridge Buffalo and split it with another rancher. Winter Conference, as well as at 719-775-8742 Buying larger quantities can usually our Spring Conference on March 2 result in better negotiated rates, and 3. Our spring conference will TREASURER saving you some money. be a fantastic event with more Patty Smith Like any experienced bison presenters than we have ever had. Lay Valley Bison Ranch 303-906-2638 rancher will tell you, there is always If you have not been to one of our more to learn about bison and the conferences, or have not been for a SECRETARY bison industry. I continue to push while, I strongly encourage you to Jen Graves the Board of Director’s to work come. Everyone is welcome and we 720-891-9360 hard for this Association, as I look forward to seeing our regular continue to push myself to work members as well as our members DIRECTOR hard, striving to always look forward we have not seen for a few years. Ace Ward Brush Meat Processors 970-488-0003

DIRECTOR RMBA Members in 2019 Gold Trophy Show & Sale Nicole Jeffries Be sure to check out these RMBA members who have consigned animals Nilisber Bison Ranch to the Gold Trophy Show and Sale. RMBA members have a long standing 303-995-2783 record of taking home top prices year after year at the GTSS and this year should be no different. DIRECTOR Tom Stelmach Market Class Peak to Peak Ranch Cannan Bennett, CB Bison 303-774-0562 Scott Butcher, Diamond Tail Ranch Larry Higgins, Heart Rock Bison DIRECTOR Kyle Stodola Josiah Higgins, Arickaree Bison Ranch Sun Rise Ranch Aaron Thieman, Big Sandy Bison 720-364-0835 Ray Thieman, Prairie Ridge Buffalo Ranch

Elections are held annually at Live Animal Class the Spring General Membership Tom Chaffin, Platte River Power Authority – Rawhide Energy Station Meeting. Meeting minutes & financials are available from the Vance Forepaugh, Medicine Wheel Ranch Board Secretary. Frank Wolthuis, Badger Basin Ranch

2 The Buffalo Rancher - January 2019 Exciting RMBA Updates Coming to Fruition By John Graves, President are removing some administrative changing times, we decided to The RMBA Board is passionately burden for conference make some changes to layout of working to continually improve registrations, expanding the newsletter. We hope you like our services and support to educational content, and it! Please provide us any feedback members. We have some exciting improving the process for to [email protected]. updates coming up. membership renewal. We have enough web traffic to Labeling Issues our site to make it profitable, so RMBA continues to work on the New Website we will also have space for The biggest update is the coming water buffalo labeling issue that advertisements. This will be a has developed in both pet food launch of our redesigned website. new way for ranchers and/or (The launch is currently scheduled and human food. To avoid vendors to promote their product confusion, we want water buffalo for late February.) Board Secretary or event. We will soon be reserving Jen Graves has been working with to be labeled as water buffalo. these spaces. If interested, We have been in contact with DigiSage, Inc. to design and contact Jen Graves at jennifer. implement a new site. They have elected officials from both houses [email protected] or 720- in the Colorado and Wyoming partnered to ensure every picture, 891-9360. element, content, and legislature, as well as with the Thank you to Jen Graves for all Wyoming Department of functionality meets the needs of her hard work making this happen. our website users. Agriculture. We also had a very I receive about five calls a week productive meeting with the to the RMBA number from people Updated Logo Colorado Department of looking to buy bison meat, This spring the RMBA Board Agriculture. We want to thank animals, facilitate hunts, plus worked with a graphic designer to RMBA member and NBA Executive many other questions. When they recreate our logo files for better Director Dave Carter for his call, I usually direct them to the print production. (The new version continued work on this issue at list of our members on our website is on the front page.) This also led the federal level as well as his and tell them to contact certain us to a few changes to enable us help assisting RMBA at the state people. Our new website will to be consistent with our front level. more prominently display and and branding. Which brings me to instruct users to find what our our next update... USDA Bison Reports members have to offer so they We will continue to send out the can quickly contact the right Updated Newsletter monthly USDA bison reports to person. This new feature will help You probably noticed a change our members. This data is members connect with potential in the format of this newsletter. available on the USDA website, customers faster and easier! We have great readership of our but it is hard to find, so we figure Beyond a redesigned layout, we newsletter and in keeping with we will do the work for you. Thank You Laurie Dineen! Thank You! The RMBA Board would like to recognize Laurie Dineen for her A big thank you to Tiffany years of hard work on our newsletter! RMBA is finally giving her the Castle of Tiffany Castle opportunity for a break because The Buffalo Rancher has been Photography and Greg Nott designed and published by Laurie for many years. She has of Big Heart Bison Ranch for coordinated advertising, created filler content, folded, sealed, providing outstanding sent (and so much more) to make every issue the best it can be. pictures for our new website! THANK YOU LAURIE!!

www.buffaloranchers.com 3 RMBA Tours Beaver Creek Buffalo Ranch By Jen Graves, Board Secretary consistently trying new things. His member ranches in attendance The Rocky Mountain Buffalo experiences with multiple sales (which we love to see) and the Association held their fall ranch approaches (i.e. online, farmer’s group eventually started talking tour on September 8 at Beaver markets, direct sales to about why they were in the bison Creek Buffalo Ranch near restaurants), grass and grain industry. Ken eloquently Goodland, Kansas. This uniquely finishing, food labeling and so summarized his view that we get managed native grassland is an much more, made him a valuable into the business to impact the oasis in northwestern Kansas and resource as the group asked bison, but they impact us for the consists of several contiguous questions. “You are never done better. ranches that total approximately learning,” said Klemm. Up next: The Rocky Mountain 4,000 acres. For attendees, the fall tour was Buffalo Association has planned a The ranch is a joint venture of a great opportunity to learn, robust spring conference for Ken Klemm & family and Peter network and chat. We had March 2-3, 2019 that you will not Thieriot & family. Their dual representatives from four non- want to miss. purpose is to be the premier supplier of pure grass-fed and finished buffalo meat and be the industry leader in providing grass- based genetics for ranchers in the U.S. The tour included views of the pastures, a demonstration of Ken moving a herd from one pasture to another, a trailer ride for an up-close view of one herd, and a walking tour of fencing and working facilities. Additionally, Ken provided an exceptional garage space with tables and chairs for the group to comfortably eat lunch and discuss multiple important topics. Ken provides a wealth of Ken Klemm explains his working facilities during photos by Jen Graves knowledge as someone who is RMBA's fall tour of Beaver Creek Buffalo Ranch.

4 The Buffalo Rancher - January 2019 Join us for RMBA's Spring Conference

March 2 - 3, 2019 Marriott Hotel - March Board Elections - Elections for our Board of Westminster, CO Directors will be held at the General Membership Saturday, March 2 includes: Meeting. President, Vice • Board of Directors Meeting President, Secretary, • General Membership Meeting & Elections Treasurer & two Directors • Bison Handling System Design & Materials – Darren Post, High Plains are up for election every Cattle Supply year. If you are interested in • Bison Corral, Alleys & Fence Design & Materials – Les Carberry, Bison serving on the board, please Pipe and Supply contact Patty Smith (pat@ • Bison and Minerals – Wendell Mickelsen, Redmond Minerals accsoftassociates.com). • Supplemental Feeding Nutrition – Cadra Van Bibber-Krueger, Ranch Way Feeds & Rob Pischel - Buffalo vs. Bison - • Social Time, Bison Dinner Banquet, Bison Bingo & Benefit Auction By request, we will discuss Sunday, March 3 includes: changing our name to the • Special Program Certifications (Animal Welfare, Grass-fed, Non-GMO, Rocky Mountain Bison Organic) - Callie Casteel, A Greener World Assocation at the General • Bison Product Labeling Regulations – Dr. Jennifer Martin, Colorado Membership Meeting. State University • Commercial Motor Vehicles Rules, Regulations, and Exemptions – John Graves • Introduction to Holistic Management – Patrick Toomey, Crossroads Ranch Consulting • Creating a Grazing Plan/Calendar – Patrick Toomey, Crossroads Ranch Consulting • Bison Vaccination Programs, Performing Injections & Minor Procedures – Dr. Tim Holt, Colorado State University • Bison Lunch, Social Time & Bison Knife Raffle

Register online at www.buffaloranchers.com/workshops or by completing the registration form below (both sides) & sending it (with payment) to RMBA.

The conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel Westminster (7000 Church Ranch Boulevard in Westminster). Reserve a hotel room at our special room rate ($110 per night) by calling the hotel directly at 720-887-1177 & mentioning RMBA or by visiting: https://book.passkey.com/go/RMBA2019. Deadline to reserve a room is February 8, 2019.

See reverse side for registration fees. RMBA Spring Conference Registration

Name: ______

Ranch Name: Make it easier for ______yourself & us: sign up online at Address: ______buffaloranchers.com

City, State, Zip: ______Send to: Rocky Mountain Buffalo Association Registration Due: February 18, 2019 303 S Broadway, Suite B522 Denver, CO 80209 Upcoming Bison Events RMBA Classified Advertising February 1 - 2, 2019 Dakota Territory Buffalo Association Winter Conference For more information, visit their newly redesigned website at www.dakotabuffalo.com/event/2019-winter-conference. TRANSPORTATION Dan Martin will haul your buffalo. No distance too far. February 2, 2019 Call: 970-629-2859. Dakota Territory Buffalo Association’s Black Hills Buffalo Classic Animals will be sold in person, as well as by photo or video bidding. Online video will be available at www.bradeenauction.hibbid.com. For more information on the sale, contact Patrick Toomey at (605) 519-1326 BUFFALO GAL YARNS or visit www.bradeenauction.com. Jill Klawonn at High Point Bison has four different buffalo yarns available. We February 11 – 13, 2019 offer fine hand-knit garments Diamond Tail Ranch Power Genetics Auction or you can create a one of a These performance tested bulls are for sale online for three days, closing kind piece. Call 970-895- at 5 p.m. (MT) on Feb. 13. Visit www.diamondtailranch.com for videos of 3303 or email: bulls, sale terms and more details. [email protected] March 2 - 3, 2019 Rocky Mountain Buffalo Association Spring Conference Join us for our annual spring conference and annual elections at the Marriott Hotel in Westminster, CO. More information is on page 5 or register online at www.buffaloranchers.com. YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! March 7-9, 2019 Eastern Bison Association Winter Conference Contact Jen to place your EBA is holding their 2019 winter conference in Harrisburg, PA. For more ad before the next issue! information or to register, visit www.ebabison.org. Email jennifer.nmn.gray@ gmail.com. Classifieds RMBA members receives one FREE ad per issue. Business Cards Advertising in the RMBA newsletter costs just $40 for the entire year (4 issues) or just $10/issue for Members. All ads must be pre-paid. 6

Spring Conference Registration Fees Full Weekend: #_____ Members @ $160/ea. #_____ Non-Members @ $200/ea. #_____ Children @ $50/ea.

Saturday Only: #_____ Members @ $95/ea. #_____ Non-Members @ $115/ea. #_____ Children @ $30/ea.

Sunday Only: #_____ Members @ $85/ea. #_____ Non-Members @ $105/ea. #_____ Children @ $30/ea.

Total # of Attendees: ______Total Amount Enclosed: $______

Make checks payable to: Rocky Mountain Buffalo Association. To pay by credit card, register online at www.buffaloranchers.com. WE KNOW A THING OR TWO, BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN A THING OR TWO Where the Buffalo Roam

By Greg Nott, Big Heart Bison One of the first things we learn about buffalo is from the infamous song, "Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam...". Yes, they do like to roam. This past spring I had the bright idea to put mineral out in a plastic tub. Of course, by the time I made it back to the house they had tipped it over and were now playing soccer with it. I figured I would wait until they were off grazing somewhere else before I attempted to retrieve it. The next morning I discovered I had waited too long. A yearling bull named Chaim now had it on his head. My photos by Greg Nott first response was to grab my camera. As I stood on the front about to occur. They were running at the fence as we eased up near porch recording this event, Tami straight at a fence. And right him. I imagine his mother was was asking what we should do. I'll through the fence he went, right having the same frustrated be honest, I had no clue between the hot wires. Amazingly, thoughts that we were having whatsoever. nothing broke and the rest of the about raising teenage boys. I Then instinct kicked in and herd stopped, inside the fence. started talking to him as I got out Chaim decided to roam. This Chaim had also stopped and was of the truck. He seemed calm and wasn't a leisurely walk or a brisk standing still in the ditch. We stood still as I approached him. I trot, but a full out run. And of stood there in shock for a brief noticed that the lip of the tub was course, the others joined in. We moment and then ran for my stuck on one of his horns. I watched in disbelief realizing the truck. decided I had one shot at pulling impending train wreck that was The rest of the herd was standing it off and making a frantic leap back into the truck. I grabbed, he jerked and off he went, running down the ditch, tub still intact. But then he stopped, shook his head and the tub fell off. When Chaim realized he had strayed, he wanted back in with the herd, and through the fence he went. Right between the hot wires, this time back where he belonged.

Lesson learned, choose your feeding vessels wisely.

www.buffaloranchers.com 7 Highlighting RMBA's Lifetime Members We asked three lifetime RMBA members to tell us a little about themselves. Patty Smith Lay Valley Bison Ranch When John requested an article from me as a RMBA lifetime member, I realized that I really have been in this business for most of a lifetime. Years and years ago (1973), my ex-husband, Ron Smith and I started The Bisonsmiths south of Yuma CO with 10 calves. That herd grew to about 250 before we sold out in 1984. At that time I took my favorite cow to Dan Martin’s Lay Valley Bison Ranch and I have tags, the mailing list, the taxes, hours! been active in that operation since etc. etc. During roundup, I don’t Call me crazy – but I continue to then. do much herding or sorting (not enjoy being directly involved with Our philosophy is expressed in my strong suit) but I get to decide bison associations – I am a founder our handouts and signs - we raise which animal goes to which pen – of the ABA (a predecessor of the our bison naturally, chemical free, so if they’re in the wrong place – now NBA) and a founder of RMBA. under low stress conditions with it’s then my fault! I have been a board member, respect and care. We sell mostly One of the best memories of secretary/treasurer and vice retail to individuals directly from this many year bison endeavor is president of both associations. I the ranch and at farmers' markets, just sitting in the pasture and am currently treasurer of RMBA. packaged meat or halves and watching the herd - at any time, One of the joys of being so quarters, hunts and some but especially in the spring with involved in the associations is breeding stock. I am the “data the new calves. I’ve always said I getting to know the people. keeper” for the ranch – managing wish someone would pay me to the data base of animals, the ear do that – I’m happy to do it for Buffalo people are the best! Nicole Jeffries moment this unique creature had become my passion, a passion Nilisber Bison Ranch my family shares with me. In 2002, I was 15 and my We outgrew our small acreage father purchased our family’s property so in 2014 Nilisber Bison first 13 bison calves Ranch purchased a much larger establishing Nilisber (Nih-l- property with plenty of room for ih-s-ber) Bison Ranch. At growth. The last few years, our that time, I was slightly primary focus has been cleaning disappointed they weren’t a up, re-planting, and establishing herd of horses, but was the pastures. Fencing has been mesmerized by the bison. an ongoing project that is still Their grace and beauty evolving. captivated my attention Growing up and being involved immediately. That is the with the bison associations has continued on next page 8 The Buffalo Rancher - January 2019 continued from previous page community. with preg-checking bison! With been an honor. One of my most Another memorable bison over 2,500 head of bison, the memorable conferences with the adventure was in high school, my experience was nothing similar to National Bison Association is family visited a private bison herd my small operation. I have learned when I was in grade school and on the side of a volcano in Hawaii. SO much and appreciated the saw a white bison on a reservation Their silhouettes formed into a great opportunity. in North Dakota. The experience herd of bison as they sauntered The Rocky Mountain Buffalo was almost magical seeing her off out of a low-hanging cloud. Association and National Bison by herself with a little red calf. Until 2017, I had only done Association have provided The Association also provided bison works with my own herd. I opportunities to network with bison shoulder bones for the had the opportunity to aid other ranchers and pick their ‘kids’ to paint and then auctioned McMurtrey Ranch in Nebraska for brains. Growing up in the industry off for a fund raiser. It was such a their main herd works. It was an has provided me with many blast and a memorable moment amazing experience participating opportunities and fond memories painting with my two younger in works for a larger herd than my I will always cherish. sisters and other kids in the bison own. I had my first experience

Dwayne Osadchuk portion to local buyers. We hope within the next Lucky 8 Ranch couple years we will be Lucky 8 Ranch, established able to supply our meats in 2014, is family owned and to local restaurants in the operated. It had always been area full time. Dwayne’s dream to own his We also run an own ranch since he was a child agritourism operation at visiting and working on his our ranch offering family’s farms in Canada. That horseback rides, ATV dream became a reality after a tours and snowmobile quick road trip around tours. Guests can come Colorado with his loving wife and learn the American Tina in 2012. Bison Tale and how they Lucky 8 currently manages have stood the test of 1,200 acres of varying terrain time and man. Along with nestled along Trout Creek in Why did we choose bison over the tours the ranch is a Oak Creek, CO. Along with our other livestock? Well… They look special event and wedding venue. varying terrain we have vast really cool and taste great. Over Lucky 8 also has its own spice and panoramic views of Routt County the last 3 years of raising these seasoning line coming from family that leave us speechless when out majestic beasts we have learned recipes handed down from working in the fields. About half there is much more to these generations. We love supporting of the ranch is located on a animals than what most people our community, especially the reclaimed coal strip mine, which assume. After learning more Routt County 4-H. This year we we have been continually about the bison tale, one really received an award from the 4-H reclaiming back to a grassland becomes humbled to be in their for being a business friend of state. We manage over 200 head presence day after day. Routt County 4-H. of bison along with horses, alpaca, Currently our bison operation is Things we have learned since llama, chickens, and ducks. We still growing and we only butcher managing a herd of bison: have purchased our first bison in 2015 a select number of animals per patience, respect, and DO NOT and quickly grew our herd, year selling some packaged grab a calf without an escape sourcing animals from all over. meats, but most has been by the route.

www.buffaloranchers.com 9 303 South Broadway Suite B522 Denver, Colorado 80209 303-243-0900

www.buffaloranchers.com

First Class

RMBA Membership Application Membership: q New q Renewal Make it easier for q Individual - $50/yr. q Individual Lifetime - $1,000 once yourself & us: q Dual (couples) - $85/yr. q Dual Lifetime - $1,500 once sign up online at q Junior (20 years old and under) - $10/yr. buffaloranchers.com

First Name ______Last Name ______Ranch/Business Name ______Mailing Address ______City, State & Zip ______Ranch Address (if different): ______Phone ______Email ______Website ______

Select the services you offer (for free advertisement on our website): q Buffalo Sales q Meat Sales q Bi-Product Sales Mail To: q Processing q Tours Rocky Mountain Buffalo Association q Absentee Owner Programs 303 South Broadway, Suite B522 q Other: ______Denver, Colorado 80209