
Saturday, November 6 is National Bison Day. The first Saturday in November, honors the official National Mammal of the United States. The iconic North American Bison has played a cultural, economic, and environmental role in the history of the country. Central to the livelihood of Native Americans, bison are today an important alternative commodity in Wisconsin’s agricultural economy. There are currently more than 7,000 bison in Wisconsin and they represent over $20-million in agricultural revenues.
The bison is the largest mammal native to Wisconsin and, in fact, is the largest land mammal in North America. A full grown male will weigh about 2,000 pounds and will stand about 6 feet tall. While cows are generally smaller at about 1,200 pounds and up to 5 feet tall, they’re still mighty powerful. Most impressive, a bison cow will produce calves well into her 20s.
To learn more about bison in Wisconsin contact the Wisconsin Bison Producers Association at www.wibison.com.