Search

Three people smile for the camera with bison and rolling hills in the background

Bringing happy, healthy bison back to the Great Plains

January 17, 2025

There are approximately 400,000 bison across North America, down from 30 to 60 million prior to the 1860s. South Dakota has the largest bison population in the U.S. with nearly 40,000, and Martin hopes to see it keep rising.

Bison herd roaming a vast, rolling plain.

Show Me the Home Where the Buffalo Once Roamed

Have you ever wondered when and where bison were roaming during the colonial period in North America and before? Take an in-depth look at the historic extent of occurrence of bison to better understand their natural habitat.

Bison herd grazing on a vast, rolling grassland.

Climate Toolbox How-To: Preparing Your Ranch for Future Climate Scenarios

This article explores practical insights and tools offered in the Climate Toolbox that equip bison ranchers to make informed decisions in ranch planning, grassland management, and parasite control.

Two young woman inspecting plants growing on a vast, open range.

Women on the Range workshop on social media set for Aug. 17

July 24, 2023

SDSU Extension will host a Women on the Range - Leveraging Social Media workshop at approximately 9 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m. MT on Aug. 17, 2023, at the 777 Bison Ranch near Hermosa, South Dakota.

4 head of bison standing in a snowy field

Bison

View all South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension bison resources.

Different types of jerky on a cutting board.

Home-Dried Jerky: Process and Tips

Making jerky is a great way to enjoy a variety of meats for months to come! It requires no refrigeration and can be made from any lean meat, such as beef, pork, bison and venison.

Man preparing several batches of pre-cooked meals for the week in plastic containers.

Batch Cooking With Protein

Batch cooking is the practice of cooking large amounts of food and keeping some for later meals. Ground and pulled meat and poultry, such as pork, chicken, turkey, beef, or bison are excellent options for batch cooking!

Sunny sky over pasture at the Cottonwood Mesonet station.

Considerations for Pasture and Herd Health in a Mixed-Precipitation Year

Planning for drought can quickly be replaced with a false sense of security when precipitation does arrive in the middle of the growing and grazing seasons, but the long-term sustainability of your pastures and herd depends on timely, flexible management.

Pregnant mother drying her hands after washing them at the kitchen sink.

Food Safety During Pregnancy

Food safety during pregnancy is just as important as nutrient consumption. Learn some expert tips for reducing the risk of foodborne illness along with foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Bison