Stronger prices, rising consumer demand and the guidance of a former agriculture minister have breathed new life into a bison producers’ show and sale that was shelved five years ago.
The Bison Producers of Alberta are in Ponoka today for the second day of their annual convention, which has included a revived Wildrose show and sale at Vold, Jones and Vold Auction.
Bison producers showed their top young breeding animals on Friday and those 80 head were to go up for sale today at 1 p.m.
Linda Sautner, office manager for the group, said the bison industry is stronger than ever after a slowdown that started with the BSE crisis in 2002 and forced one-third of the province’s bison producers to leave the business.
Under the guidance of president Marvin Moore, a Grande Prairie producer and former provincial agriculture minister, the industry is expanding rapidly with good genetics and opportunities for people to return to the industry or start anew, said Sautner.
Monthly bison sales are held at Ponoka, Beaverlodge and Drayton Valley throughout the late fall, winter and early spring, said Sautner.
To learn more, visit www.bisoncentre.com or call 780-955-1995.