National Organic Standards Board

Livestock Committee

Proposed Discussion Document

Guidance for Assessing Animal Welfare on Organic Bison Operations

March 28, 2012

The following is provided to aid in assessment of whether or not the requirements of § 

205.238-241 are being met sufficiently to demonstrate adequate animal welfare 

conditions on organic bison operations.

Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 2

Bison Nutrition................................................................................................................... 2

General Guidance.......................................................................................................... 2

Seasonal Considerations............................................................................................... 3

Nutrition and Bison Reproduction .................................................................................. 3

Heifers/Cows.............................................................................................................. 3

Bulls ........................................................................................................................... 4

Body Condition and Scoring.............................................................................................. 4

Bison Health...................................................................................................................... 8

Pathogens ..................................................................................................................... 9

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB)......................................................................................... 10

Brucellosis................................................................................................................ 10

Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) ................................................................................... 10

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)............................................................................. 11

Internal parasites ......................................................................................................... 11

External Parasites........................................................................................................ 12

Physical Alterations ..................................................................................................... 12

Bison Handling ................................................................................................................ 12

Corrals ......................................................................................................................... 12

Calving......................................................................................................................... 13

Reference Material:......................................................................................................... 13

Attachment -- Bison Welfare Audit .................................................................................. 15

LC 1 Animal Welfare-Bison
Introduction

The North American Bison has undergone little modification through domestication or 

selective breeding. Consequently, it is still possible to compare the characteristics of 

today’s bison to what was historically roaming the North American continent to identify 

the similarities to what is called typical for this animal.

Because bison remain largely undomesticated, the optimal nutritional requirements, and 

body conditioning will vary significantly on a seasonal basis. In addition, humane handling 

procedures are crucial to minimizing stress on the animals. We attempt to address those 

factors in this guidance document. 

Bison Nutrition

General Guidance

Because bison are grazing ruminants with a four chambered stomach for feed digestion, 

it is easy to assume that the feed requirements for bison are similar to cattle. However, 

there are some significant differences in the species that require an understanding of the 

nutritional needs of bison.

A bison’s rumen is very structured, ensuring that forage based feeds are retained for long 

periods of time. Bison retain feed in their digestive system longer than cattle. Longer feed 

retention means that 

bison have more time to 

digest the fiber in feeds 

such as sedges and 

grasses. However, when 

consuming alfalfa or 

alfalfa brome hay, there 

is virtually no difference 

in digestibility between 

bison and cattle because 

the fiber level in alfalfa based forages is typically lower than in grasses and sedges. 

Forages with lower fiber levels do not need to stay in the digestive tract as long to be fully 

digested as compared to forages with higher fiber levels.

Bison seem to naturally self-limit intake with less dry matter consumed per unit body weight 

than bovines. Bison also consume feed in several small meals throughout the day vs. fewer 

large meals observed in bovines. This habit maintains a more uniform ruminal environment 

and may contribute to more complete nutrient extraction by bison vs. bovines. 

Protein needs to be treated entirely different in bison diets than bovines. Bison recycle 

nitrogen efficiently, an evolutionary response to very low protein diets from mature grasses 

during several months of the year. This recycling may cause high blood urea nitrogen levels 

from modestly high protein levels in the diet. In some areas, many feeds contain protein 

Comparison of total tract retention time and dry matter 

digestibility of forages between bison and cattle

LC 2 Animal Welfare-Bison
levels higher than many bison producers consider optimum making it difficult to formulate 

diets. Eleven or 12% protein is considered the maximum from anecdotal experience.

Animals given too high protein and feed have produced rapid growth and resulted in 

horn, hoof and kidney problems that lead to other problems. The over-feeding of highnutrient feed may lead to lethargic animals that have trouble moving about, and could 

lead to calving problems. A cow needs nine percent protein just to maintain her condition 

over winter and try to develop her calf. Less than that amount of protein or severe winter 

could result in pulling her down physically, and thus would take more time to bring her 

back into condition prior to breeding. The result is a late calf or no calf the following year. 

Forage samples alone would indicate that the forage or feed is sufficient for the bison’s 

need, but examining the water could show that a critical element like copper is tied up by 

iron and manganese and thus causes a deficiency. Molybdenum, sulfate, nitrate, calcium 

and sodium can also cause mineral deficiencies due to interference. 

Many producers experiencing cold winter climates realize that they need to supplement 

with more of an energy supplement to insure that their animals have the energy to eat 

and be active. 

Seasonal Considerations

Bison have a strong anabolic/catabolic cycle based on day length (anabolic means build 

up – catabolic means to tear down). All wildlife species in the northern hemispheres 

require this cycle for survival. It relies on the animal’s ability to have a strong anabolic 

cycle in spring, summer, and early fall and survive nutritional deficiencies in the winter 

with the nutrients they stored during the anabolic cycle. 

Summer grazing usually meets most bison nutrient requirements so long as carrying capacity is 

not exceeded and minerals are supplemented. If pasture quality and quantity is low, 

supplementation with hay or grains may be necessary.

It is not uncommon for bison older than 18 months of age to lose 10 to 15% of pre-winter body 

weight from December to April. Dry matter intake during the winter period tends to range from 1.4 

to 1.8% of body weight depending on forage quality, fiber levels, metabolism and total tract

retention time. In the spring to autumn, dry matter intake can be expected to range from 2.0 to 

3.0% of body weight.

Nutrition and Bison Reproduction

Heifers/Cows

Bison typically mature at two years of age for both male and females. Some yearling 

females will breed at one year of age and give birth to a calf as they turn two years of 

age, but this is an exception. The nutrient intake during the pregnancy of first and 

second calf heifers is significantly higher than a mature cow, especially during the third 

trimester. These young females must have sufficient nutrient intake to finish growing 

their own body in addition to finish growing a calf. 

LC 3 Animal Welfare-Bison
This nutrient demand will continue after the calf is born and taper off some as the calf 

forages on grass. Her ability to seek sufficient nutrition to grow and come into cycle 

during the normal breeding period is dependent on the quality of food available to her. 

The result is that calves are then born 45 days following the spring equinox. Normal 

practice is to breed females at age two with bulls that are two years or older. If a heifer 

does not attain sufficient size, it may be difficult for her to stand up under the weight of 

large mature bulls. A key concern for first and second calf heifers is to grow them to 

sufficient size prior to being bred to insure pregnancy each year of their lives.

A critical issue affecting pregnancy is the ability of a female to flush on highly nutrient 

forage or feed. Spring time usually brings forth lush vegetation that is high in nutrients. 

Having this available to females that have recovered from previous pregnancies will help 

insure a high calving percentage the following year. 

Drought and high temperatures prior to and during the normal rut (breeding) period can 

have a negative effect on pregnancy rate. Often times, a fall green up will cause a flush 

in the cows that did not breed or take during the normal rut period, and the result is a late 

calf the next year. 

Bulls

A bison male at 18 months of age will begin a lifetime cycle of winter weight loss followed by 

spring/summer weight gain. Mature bulls will also lose weight during the breeding season, 

followed by a final period in the fall to allow for weight gain. 

Much like mature females, bison bulls can lose 10 to 15% of their pre-winter body weight from

December to April due to a slower metabolism. During this winter period, dry matter intake will 

range from 1.4 to 1.8% of body weight. If grass hay diets are supplemented with grain, winter 

weight loss will be minimized, but compensatory gains in the spring and summer will not be as 

great. 

During the breeding season, bulls can potentially lose 10 to 15% of body weight again. Therefore, 

it may be necessary to provide extra energy through supplementation to prevent too much loss of

body condition. Excessive loss of body weight during breeding makes it more difficult for the bulls 

to regain a proper weight status prior to the start of the wintering period. It is important to ensure 

the bulls are of adequate body condition prior to the winter and breeding seasons. Much like the 

cows, thin or poorly conditioned bulls entering the winter will still lose weight and be more 

expensive to feed.

Body Condition and Scoring

As mentioned above, the idea body condition for bison is based upon the attributes that 

the animal carries in nature. Survivability and low management requirements are 

important characteristics. 

Even though bison in commercial organic operations are selected for the meat 

marketplace, it is important that the commercial characteristics (size, yield, etc.) are not 

accomplished at the expense of sacrificing the unique genetic characteristics that allow 

LC 4 Animal Welfare-Bison
bison to survive in a wide variety of conditions, and to calve easily. In other words, bison 

producers must avoid an attitude of “screw the hump, and build the rump.” 

Bison characteristics are usually developed and identifiable by the time they mature at 

two years of age. The characteristics become more pronounced with age such as the 

horn growth and overall size. Calves start exhibiting typical bison characteristics late in 

their first year of life. The more angular and triangle shaped heads, greater horn bases 

and growth are found on the males, while the females have smaller horns both in 

diameter and length. 

Female bison heads are longer and narrower than the male. Female horns are typically 

more curved and possess less circumference and more curvature, with the horn tips 

curved up and inward and often times pointing at each other. 

Typical bison characteristics of the Plains bison, (Bison, bison, bison), include long hair 

under the chin forming a large rounded beard, long hair on the front legs forming 

leggings, and a raised pelage of usually longer and lighter colored hair located over the 

front shoulder. The pelage extends along the back to just behind the front shoulders. 

The raised hump is a distinguishing characteristic as well. Calves should exhibit the 

development of the hump as they approach one year of age. 

Wood bison, normally associated with the Canadian provinces, (Bison, bison 

athabascae) tend to have less developed beard, leggings, and an incomplete pelage. 

The structure of the Wood bison is taller, more moose-like in form. The incomplete 

development of the beard, leggings and raised pelage, and the body higher off the 

ground is an advantage for Wood bison, who have to endure the deep snow and ice 

conditions found in Canada. 

The head and neck projection of the Plains bison favored grazing of the plains in more 

mild climates. The Plains bison’s highest point is typically found by extending a line 

straight up the center of the leg to a point on the back. The highest point on a Wood 

bison is also the hump, but it is typically projected as much as one foot forward from a 

line extending up the middle of the front leg to a point on the back. 

Bulls that have to compete within a herd for breeding rights need to have size, muscling 

and strength less they be overpowered by a bull having more strength. Bison strength is 

a result of a wide and deep body conformation. The lack of muscle development may be 

attributed in part to nutrition and exercise. 

Female bison need to have sufficient “spring of rib” (width and depth to provide for room 

for an unborn calf to grow, develop and be born). Pelvic structure is important. Females 

possessing a narrow pelvis or a serious drop in the top line in the last foot before the tail 

could very easily develop calving problems due to restriction of the birthing canal. A high 

tail head can also produce a problem, due to narrowing of the birthing canal to 

compensate for the projected high tail head. 

LC 5 Animal Welfare-Bison
Bison are seldom caught in a squeeze to allow a “hands on” body condition scoring 

system so most of the criteria used to assess the animal are visual clues. 

A body condition score (BCS) of 1 indicates that the animal is very thin. A BCS of 5 

indicates that it is very fat. Alberta Agriculture has developed a comprehensive guide for 

body conditioning scoring for bison. The table below is excerpted from that guide. The 

entire guide is available at: 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex9622/$FILE/bcsbison.pdf. The guide can also be obtained through the National Bison Association at 

www.bisoncentral.com. 

LC 6 Animal Welfare-Bison
Source: Alberta Agriculture, "What's the Score; Bison" 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex9622/$FILE/bcs-bison.pdf

LC 7 Animal Welfare-Bison
Optimal body condition for bison varies with the seasonal weight fluctuations of the 

animals.

For example, the weight of 

mature females will vary up to 

15% throughout the year. The 

animals’ typically achieve top 

weight in the late fall as they 

graze to store fat to provide 

energy for both mother and 

unborn calf to overwinter. The 

females will lose up to 100 lbs.

from December to April, when 

calving season typically 

begins. 

The chart at right illustrates a 

typical weight change for mature female bison.

Most people aim to have their bison fat in the fall so that they do not require as much 

feed over the winter. Most experienced producers aim to have their bison lean in the 

spring because excess fat may lead to calving problems. 

By the beginning of breeding season, the cows should be back to a moderate to good 

body condition to ensure optimal conceptions rates.

The best indication of overall 

bison health and condition 

throughout the season is the 

hair. Healthy animals have a 

good hair coat that is full of life 

that may give a producer an 

indication of proper nutrition. 

Bison Health

Bison are not cattle. Differences include the age to breeding (2.5 years), nutritional 

requirements over winter, nutrition for slaughter animals, social structure, and longevity. 

Bison have a relatively good resistance to many pathogens that affect cattle. 

The two primary factors affecting the health of bison are environmental/nutritional 

considerations, and chronic stress. Paying attention to these two areas is critical 

Source: USDA NRCS Grazing Lands Technology Institute

LC 8 Animal Welfare-Bison
because typical livestock therapeutic drugs are not as effective in bison as in cattle. In 

fact, one saying in the bison business is: “A sick bison is a dead bison.” 

Because bison still carry the prey/predator instinct, they will mask a sickness until 

seriously ill (why let the predators know your sick?). At that point, antibiotics and other 

therapeutic remedies will have only limited efficacy. In addition, the added stress induced 

to administer the treatment is so great that it often pushes the animal over the edge. This 

stress can be effectively eliminated by using one of the modern air-powered dart guns. 

Poor environmental and feed conditions will weaken the animal’s natural immune system, 

and increase susceptibility for disease. A successful organic systems plan for bison must 

focus heavily on the ecosystem and developing systems that will provide optimal 

nourishment for the bison while sustaining the natural environment. 

Chronic stress will have the same effect as more environmental and nutritional 

conditions. Bison can readily handle the acute stress that comes from a short-term 

perceived threat. That is the “fight or flight” response to a stimulus. They can fight or run 

from grizzlies or humans and when all threats are passed, go back to grazing and the 

adrenalin and steroid levels return to normal. However, they react poorly to extended or 

continuous (chronic) stress. That stress can be minimized through humane handling 

procedures (discussed later).

Pathogens

Bison have a strong resistance to many pathogens prevalent in other livestock. Much of 

this resistance is the result of the “bottleneck” that the species passed through roughly 

110 years ago. 

In the 1850’s, the bison population was estimated to be somewhere between 30 and 60 

million animals. The domesticated livestock species introduced to the West allowed the 

pathogens these species carried to adapt to these new and different species. BVD, IBR, 

PI3, BRSV, TB, Johne’s, mycoplasma, leptosirosis, clostridia, Staph, Strep, internal and 

external parasites and probably pasteurella found a plethora of new ways to reproduce 

and spread their DNA (genes) to the demise of these native ungulates. 

In the late 1800’s, bison were driven to the brink of extinction because of market hunting, 

war tactics against the Native Americans, and because of the introduced pathogens. 

Fewer than 1,000 bison survived this onslaught. The surviving animals were those bison 

that had a genetic resistance to these new pathogens. Testing of wild ungulate species 

has been undertaken for the past several decades across the western states. All wild 

populations show exposure to these introduced pathogens without large detrimental 

effects - yet these same pathogens remain of utmost importance to the livestock industry. 

Today, the primary diseases affecting bison are Bovine TB, brucellosis, Bovine Virus 

Diarrhea (BVD) and Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF). 

LC 9 Animal Welfare-Bison
Bovine Tuberculosis (TB)

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is a slow, progressive bacterial disease that is difficult to 

diagnose in the early stages. As the disease progresses, animals may exhibit 

emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever, and pneumonia with a 

chronic, moist cough. It usually is transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions 

from an infected animal. TB is a zoonotic disease meaning it can be transferred to other 

species, including man. 

Free-ranging and privately owned bison in the U.S. have been free of TB for several 

decades. TB testing in bison has proven to be effective in diagnosing infected animals. 

If you are buying animals to start or augment your herd, have the bison over 12 months 

old tested. Many states are TB free and testing is not required, but as a precautionary 

measure require TB testing before purchasing. 

Brucellosis 

Brucellosis is a disease that has strong regulatory and economic guidelines for all states. 

A majority of states have been brucellosis free in livestock for many years. 

The notable exceptions are the states that border Yellowstone National Park. State and 

federal regulatory agencies consider the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) an area of 

interaction with these wildlife species the last nidus of infection in the U.S. Brucellosis 

was introduced into bison and elk in the early 20th century. Once the organism was in 

these wildlife populations it became problematic to control. To this day 20 to 40 percent 

of the bison and elk in the GYA have been proven to harbor titers from exposure or 

infection. 

Abortion is the most obvious indication of the disease in a herd. Brucellosis is a disease 

not spread from cow to cow, but from a birthing or abortive event where the abortive 

event including the aborted, stillborn, newborn calf and afterbirth are exposed to other 

animals. There are several tests to determine if bison are infected or exposed. These 

tests are, for the most part, accurate. There are cross-reactions with other organisms 

that can create suspects in your bison. Regulators are working on being able to identify 

these other organisms and incorporate them in the battery of tests for brucellosis 

“suspect” bison.

Calfhood vaccination for brucellosis (Bang’s vaccinations) is not mandatory in many 

states. The vaccine (RB51) is safe for use in bison. It is not as protective against 

abortion or infection as in cattle, but does offer limited protection. Brucellosis is also a 

zoonotic disease and can be transmitted to other species including man. 

Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD)

Anywhere in the world there are cattle, there is Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD). This 

worldwide distribution makes this disease important to cattle producers. BVD is a 

complicated disease to discuss as it can result in a wide variety of disease problems from 

very mild to very severe. BVD can be one of the most devastating diseases cattle 

LC 10 Animal Welfare-Bison
encounter and one of the hardest to get rid of when it attacks a herd. The viruses that 

cause BVD have been grouped into two genotypes, Type I and Type II. The disease 

syndrome caused by the two genotypes is basically the same. However, disease caused 

by Type II infection is often more severe in cattle. The various disease syndromes noted 

in cattle infected with BVD virus are mainly attributed to the age of the animal when it 

became infected and to certain characteristics of the virus involved. 

As mentioned earlier, bison appear to be resistant to clinical manifestations from 

exposure. BVD has been incriminated in losses of bison placed in feedlots in conjunction 

with cattle. Vaccinations for BVD Type I and Type II are effective in preventing the 

disease in bison. I have never seen the disease in free-ranging or any captive herd. 

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) 

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) is a generally fatal disease of cattle, bison, true buffalo 

species, and deer. It is caused by viruses belonging to the Herpesvirus family. MCF 

occurs worldwide and is a serious problem, particularly for bison in the United States and 

Canada. 

MCF in bison is caused by a virus called ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2). Most infections 

are characterized by depression, separation from the rest of the herd, loss of appetite, 

and in many bloody diarrhea. Unlike MCF in cattle, discharge from the eyes and nasal 

passages of affected bison is minimal. Animals develop a fever and may pass bloody 

urine. The clinical course is generally 1-7 days. Most animals die within three days of 

developing clinical signs. There is no effective treatment for MCF in bison. Bison older 

than six months, particularly if stressed by bad weather, transportation and handling are 

the most susceptible to infection. Large outbreaks occur in feedlots, where stress due to 

crowding is likely. 

Studies of field outbreaks strongly suggest that sheep infected with OvHV-2 are the 

principal source of MCF outbreaks in bison. A strong association between outbreaks in 

bison and recent exposure to sheep has been documented repeatedly since 1929. In 

some outbreaks, however, no sheep were in the vicinity immediately prior to the first case 

being identified. There is no evidence that transmission occurs horizontally from one 

bison to another. Currently there is a study supported in part by the National Bison 

Association to establish whether bison-to-bison transmission is a factor in natural 

outbreaks.

Internal parasites

It is necessary for special attention to be given to managing internal parasites on organic 

bison operations. Each parasite’s life cycle is different and many cycles can be 

interrupted by changes in management. Sometimes small changes in the way the 

producer pastures or feed bison may slow or stop the future spread of the parasite based 

on the available facilities. 

LC 11 Animal Welfare-Bison
If breed selection, pasture management, supplements and allowed treatments are not 

successful in keeping sheep parasite loads from impacting well-being, individual animals 

need to be given conventional treatments. 

External Parasites

Ticks and lice have been identified on bison and could potentially be detrimental. Bison 

have a thicker hair coat and identification of lice in bison is rare. Ticks have been found 

on bison around the tail head. In many areas where elk and deer are infested with ticks, 

bison sharing the same habitat are tick free. 

Physical Alterations

 

Consistent with the low-management approach to bison, bulls are not castrated. Nor is 

there any need to dehorn bison. 

Bison Handling

The primary objective of any handling program is to reduce stress on the animals while 

assuring the safety of handlers. A bison organic systems plan must discuss how the 

producer will handle or move bison; how they manage them on range; how they confine 

and feed them; as well as how they are worked in the corral.

It is important to recognize that bison are an extremely social animal with strong 

matriarchal divisions. Establishing a herd with the correct social balance, and the ability 

for animals to express their natural behavior, is the first step in reducing stress. 

Bison have a very intact social structure that has definite spacing requirements between 

individuals and family groups. This spacing requirement may be different for different 

sexes and ages of animals throughout various times of the year. Herds that generate 

their own replacements from offspring will develop family groups between related 

individuals. 

The pasture environment includes the size and shape of the pastures, forage quantities 

and qualities available, watering sources, spatial requirements for individuals and/or 

family groups as well as a myriad of other considerations. Social stress will become a 

factor if pasture size is too small to give adequate spatial requirements for individuals or 

family groups for large herds. This causes discontent and disharmony within the herd, 

causing animals to breach fences and become difficult to handle. 

Bulls will separate from the herds after breeding and only young bulls are allowed to stay 

with the cows and calves. Post-breeding, the bulls have been nutritionally and physically 

stressed and should be checked for wounds or other forms of trauma. 

Corrals

LC 12 Animal Welfare-Bison
Corrals and working facilities should be designed to minimize the stress on animals, and 

to facilitate the ability of handlers to gently apply and release pressure. The amount of 

space allowed for each individual animal depends upon the amount of time that the 

animal will be maintained in the corral. When animals are introduced into a new herd, is 

advisable to house those animals in the corral for several days so that the animal s can 

adjust to their new environment. The producer should allow a minimum of 250 sq. /ft. 

(preferably 400 sq. ft.) per adult animal in this type of confined situation. 

Never place just one bison in a corral or pasture for extended periods. Because they are 

extremely social, they will experience chronic stress when isolated from the herd. 

When handling bison, the producer should strive for a gentle “dance” of applying 

pressure, the animal moving away from the pressure and then releasing the pressure. 

The fact that we move into an animal’s flight zone giving it pressure and when it moves 

away from us, we release the pressure by either not moving with them in the same 

direction (by stopping) or we move in a different direction. This sets up a positive cause 

and effect relationship – that is we get into their flight zone putting pressure on them, and 

they, by moving away from us get released from the pressure. 

The National Bison Association—in cooperation with Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado 

State University—developed has developed a bison welfare audit form to measure 

several areas of working bison in the corral. That audit form is included as an attachment 

at the end of the Guidance Document. 

Inside housing is rarely used for bison. These animals are adapted for extreme weather 

conditions in the outdoors. Bringing the animals inside actually increases stress.

Calving

Human interaction with calving bison should be held to a minimum. Because bison have 

not been bred to produce calves larger than nature intended, cows rarely need 

assistance in calving. 

One of the most important things a bison cow needs at calving time is peace. There is no 

fixed rule regarding amount of space a calving bison cow needs. However, the producer 

can judge that space by monitoring the cow’s behavior: If she changes her behavior with 

the producer’s presence (such as standing up, running off or her labor arrests) she needs 

more space. If the other bison pester her and she cannot get away, then she needs 

more room. 

Nature also needs the cow to be leaner to give birth effectively. A fat bison cow will have 

trouble giving birth, and the calf from such a cow will likely be too big and too hard to 

birth. 

Reference Material:

Alberta Agriculture (2007) “What’s the Score: Bison” Body Condition Scoring Guide. 

LC 13 Animal Welfare-Bison
Anderson, Vern PhD (____) “perspectives on Nutritional Management of Bison Bulls Fed 

for Meat, Carrington Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University. 

Feist, Murray (2000)”Basic Nutrition of Bison,” Saskatchewan Agriculture, Agriculture 

Knowledge Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CA

National Bison Association (2010) The Bison Producers’ Handbook, A Complete Guide to 

Production and Marketing, Westminster, CO.

USDA NRCS (2006) “Bison Body Condition.” Grazing Lands Technology Institute, Fort 

Worth, TX

LC 14 Animal Welfare-Bison
Attachment -- Bison Welfare Audit

The National Bison Association—in cooperation with Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado 

State University—developed the following bison welfare audit to measure several areas 

of working bison in the corral.

 

Bison Welfare Audit 

ranch 

_________________________

auditor 

_____________________ date _____________

class of 

animals_____________________ time of day _____________________ total time__________

(score 50 consecutive head - score each animal individually - repeat audit as necessary)

a) ELECTRIC PROD usage ---- Circle number if prod is USED --- Slash otherwise

(The goal is to not carry a Hot-Shot in hand - even a touch without the shock counts as usage.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1

0

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5

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note where usage took placeb) COLLISION with HEAD GATE ---- Circle number IF HARD HIT occurred --- Slash otherwise 

(use your best judgment here - If the bison hits hard enough to cause a bad headache, count it)

(moving further from the chute, or enclosing the sides and/or front of the chute are common solutions)

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c) CHUTE EXIT SPEED ---- Circle number if the bison FELL exiting the chute --- Slash otherwise 

(a rubber mat for footing, or a visual barrier in front of the chute will help this problem)

(a knee hitting the ground, or worse, constitutes a fall) 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1

0

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0

d) INJURY ---- Circle number, if at any time, recent injuries are apparent --- slash otherwise 

(broken legs, broken horns, broken ribs, puncture wounds, etc.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1

0

1

1

1

2

1

3

1

4

1

5

1

6

1

7

1

8

1

9

2

0

2

1

2

2 23 24

2

5

2

6

2

7

2

8

2

9

3

0

3

1

3

2

3

3

3

4

3

5

3

6

3

7

3

8

3

9

4

0

4

1

4

2

4

3

4

4

4

5

4

6

4

7 48 49

5

0

b) CROWDING ---- Circle number if any bison climbs on another --- slash otherwise 

(position in the stack does not matter, count all involved; also include bison that turn over backwards) 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1

0

1

1

1

2

1

3

1

4

1

5

1

6

1

7

1

8

1

9

2

0

2

1

2

2 23 24

2

5

2

6

2

7

2

8

2

9

3

0

3

1

3

2

3

3

3

4

3

5

3

6

3

7

3

8

3

9

4

0

4

1

4

2

4

3

4

4

4

5

4

6

4

7 48 49

5

0

LC 15 Animal Welfare-Bison
note where crowding occurred -

Questions: (to assist in improvement - check appropriate box) ye

s

n

o

? 

1) Bison were gathered from the pasture into a holding area at a slow pace ----------------------

- 

2) Bison were moved into the corral system at a reasonably slow pace ----------------------------

- 

3) The bison were generally relaxed while in the corral system before processing --------------

4) Bison flowed through the corral system to the tub smoothly with minimal effort -------------- 

5) Personnel moved slowly without making excessive noise (yelling, slamming gates, etc.) --

-- 

6) Bison were moved easily through the corral with one or two people -----------------------------

- 

7) Post processing, bison receive ample space, water, and feed ------------------------------------

-- 

8) Weaning pens have adequate space, water and bunks, and dust is minimal -----------------

9) Panting was observed in some animals in the corral -------------------------------------------------

-- 

10) Dust was a problem during processing ------------------------------------------------------------------

-- 

11) Excessive poking, beating on, or multiple electric prod use on animals occurred -----------

--- 

12) Old bulls were a problem when gathering and/or processing -------------------------------------

--- 

13) Too many serious bison injuries occur during processing ------------------------------------------

-- 

14) The corral system needs significant modifications ---------------------------------------------------

--- 

Additional comments: 

Committee vote:

Motion: Wendy Fulwider Second: Colehour Bondera

Yes: 8 No: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0 

LC 16 Animal Welfare-Bison