Consumer demand for bison meat grew 10% in 2011, the sixth straight year of double-digit growth for bison meat in the marketplace.

An interesting fact about bison is the health benefits that come with it. Not only does it have 70% to 90% less fat compared to beef, on average it has 50% less cholesterol. And on top of that, it is higher in protein, iron and all the omega and amino acids. Also, because they are naturally resistant to diseases and grow faster than domestic animals, they don’t need all the antibiotics and growth hormones that are typically given to beef cattle.

As far as flavour goes, bison has more flavour. Since bison and cow have the same muscle groups, their texture and tenderness are very similar to each other.

Bison are raised on open grassland and graze on natural grass. Because they are not fed manufactured feed, there is no current concern about mad cow disease at this time. Another factor is that, unlike sheep and beef, they don’t defecate in their own water source.