Southern Plains Bison Pointers Oct 2016

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Don’t believe what you see! Ghosts, goblins and other miniature versions of superheroes and villains will be everywhere tonight, but they’re not real! – Just fyi (!) The other thing that may not be real is the grass you see when you look out across the field. The transitional period in Texas and the southern plains can vary widely and is often deceiving whereas the cool season is just getting started and the warm season is in a dried back, or late stage, with very little feed value.  The other very deceiving thing is pastures that are exotic like Coastal … Read more

Southern Plains Bison Sept 2016

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Unprecedented Summer   The southern plains have experienced an unprecedented summer with perfect rains and lots of forage. Normally this time of year is marked by brownfields and ‘dusting in’ fall crops. This year, we are looking for dry spots to be able to get into the field. If you have been understocked during this cycle, you will be blessed with bigger grass inventories next year. When planting for grazing, it is more productive to plan for diversity. This is different than those who plan to graze crops also planned for harvest. Diversity means: multiple seed types in your planting … Read more

Southern Plains Bison Pointers August 2016

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Looking Out for Them   Southern plains bison have been blessed this year with unusual rains in the dog days of summer and lots and lots of grass. I have actually seen cool-season prairie bloom, and cool soaking rains in August. My biggest message to bison owners is ‘don’t let your guard down – and be on the lookout’ (!) Lots of grass and lots of rain, means: lots of parasites. Having your guard up about the parasites is all about being on the lookout for how your animals are looking. If they are gaining weight and looking ‘bloomy’, you … Read more

Southern Plains Pointers: July 2016

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Southern Plains Pointers July 2016 What The Heck – Is – Going On Out There? (!) This is the time of year that we need to know stuff, as opposed to assuming stuff, about how our herd is weathering the dog days of summer in the southern plains.  The dynamics include ambient temperature, nutritional profile of the plant community and, of course, parasites. Late summer worming can help with a few things that are interconnected and directly affect the herds’ ability to remain sustainable. Always question what you see this time of year. The examples of what you should be … Read more

Southern Plains Bison: June 2016

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Southern Plains Pointers: June 2016 Heat, Flies & Get Ready! The dog-days of summer in the southern plains are hot (!) and full of things that need management before they get out of control. One of those things is flies, but it can be hard to know how to address the problem with available methods designed for beef and dairy cattle. There are readily available products and technologies, but I recommend consulting a knowledgeable bison rancher or experienced bison veterinarian before deciding on a method of killing flies. The other noteworthy reality about bison and flies; is that they are … Read more

For the Love of Texas Bison and Texas Craft Beer

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For the Love of Texas Bison and Texas Craft Beer by Dan Humphries  Bull Dancer Bison Ranch As a bison rancher that sells grass fed bison meat and also products in the craft beer industry I want to share the excitement in the Texas Craft Beer industry by a paring of Texas Bison Meat and Texas Craft Beers.  I have worked with many Craft Breweries and have included 3 links on the last page to help you do some fun research and find your favorite local craft brewer to choose your favorite brew to pare with your 4th of July … Read more

Purple Paintbrush

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Maybe you’re familiar with the red paintbrush wildflower (castilleja indivisa) but take a look at her pink perennial cousin (Castilleja purpurea). There is, in fact, a range of colors. Paintbrushes gain some of their food supply from grasses and are included in the snapdragon family. The seeds are tiny at four million per pound so you only need a quarter pound per acre for planting. Save the wildlife and make spaces for nature.

Southern Plains Bison: April 2016

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Calving & Adapting To Us Things tend to happen all at once this time of year, or so it seems in the southern plains, leaving us charged with thinking ahead and managing for stepping aside and letting nature take its course.  Calving problems can happen with bison. Heifers do heifer things like spook at the new shadow, cows can choose ‘the herd’ over a slow-starter, and young bulls can be a problem if they confuse the scent of calving with estrus. It is also true that 90% of the fetal development occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy. This is … Read more

For the love of Texas Bison & Wine- April 2016

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For the love of Texas Bison and Texas Wine by Dan Humphries  Bull Dancer Bison Ranch As a bison rancher that sells grass fed bison meat and also products in the wine industry I want to share the excitement in the Texas Wine industry about the paring of Texas Bison Meat and Texas Wines.  I have worked with many Texas Wineries in supplying bison meat with wine parings for special events.  I now am excited to share with Bison Ranchers and Bison Meat Lovers some of the Texas Wines recommended with your favorite Bison Meat recipes. The Grilled Grape-Leaf Wrapped … Read more

Southern Plains Bison: March 2016

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Southern Plains Pointers March 2016 Green-Up Green-up happens early in the southern plains bringing diversity in the available food for your herd that may not catch your attention. Many become selectable during fleeting successions, while other plants seem to dominate the landscape and by now; look like ‘emerald waves of gain’ [sorry] for those operations blessed with strong cool-season habitats. Another thing that explodes this time of year is parasites. Don’t stress out too much, just keep an eye out and react if need be to the onset of parasite loads. Personally I watch the front end or ‘hump’ for … Read more