Question for 'Bison' Cost of ground baffalo meat

Roger's post about hanging beef price reminded me of some buffalo (or bison) meat we bought a week ago. A young man grazes buffalo on a river bank that goes through some land I farm an he came knocking on the door telling us he had just had three of them butchered at a local locker and wondered if we wanted some ground meat. We bought four pounds at $9.82 per pound. I have no idea how he calculates his price. How does buffalo dress out. I've heard they don't dress out well. He said they shoot them and field dress them, then take the meat to the locker for them to do the rest. They have hauled them to the locker live but they can get a little unruly when they are handled. I can guarantee every last ounce will be eaten at that price.

On a side note, when I'm working ground over there if I'm in a position where I can see them those buffalo standing under the trees by the river look like a scene out of a western movie.

That is about normal for central MN. Steaks are more like 2 to 3 times that (depending on cut) Jim

There is more waste with bison. Hind quarters are smaller than beef. They have a lot of weight in the head and hide. The meat you do end up with is delicious and moist but lean. Somehow the meat stays moist with little fat or it is a different form of fat. I have had several bison go through our freezer and generally prefer bison to beef, although a fine beef steak is never refused.

unless you see it ground how do you know its all bison.

Because it's leaner, and tastes better. Had a Bison burger at the Duluth Grill a couple of weeks ago, delicious!

Fixerupper, we get up to $5/lb HHW on the rail at the mayor meat plants for prime young UTM bulls and a little less for heifers.
I don't relaly know what the average retaill price is for the various cuts cause i never buy any but the butcher(with a meat counter) i sold my culls to had ground bison priced at $12/lb and tenderloin for $ 27/lb last fall so it looks like he ain't losing on it cause i got only $3.50 on the rail for my cull breeding bulls and cows.
A good meaty 1000-1100 lb grain fed bison dressed out at 54-55 % and provide 400+ lb of edible meat(all bone out) tongue and organs not incl.(grass fed dresses out a little less,..less fat).

Enjoy yer bison burger,....do not overcook!

This old guy weighed in at just under 2600 lb live.(pic taken last spring)
Makes good hamburger and sausage but i would not want steaks from him.




Couple more pics.

In 2009, we were on vacation to see the Tetons, etc. I have always loved a good "burger" and one day at lunch I ordered a Buffalo Burger ... without a doubt, it was the BEST tasting burger I have ever eaten! I'm drooling now just thinking of it.

(quoted from post at 14:28:09 05/13/15) In 2009, we were on vacation to see the Tetons, etc. I have always loved a good "burger" and one day at lunch[b:48760de455] I ordered a Buffalo Burger ... without a doubt, it was the BEST tasting burger I have ever eaten![/b:48760de455] I'm drooling now just thinking of it.

Click to expand...

ep,..everybody should eat bison.

Here is a printout with wholesale slaughter prices.
US and Canadian

US
Ribeye Lip-On Fresh
1,000-1,650
1,417.31
1,100-1,650
1,385.95
1,050-1,650
1,451.21
2.4%
4.7%
Chuckroll/Clod Fresh
500-650
598.41
500-675
592.57
500-702
614.56
2.7%
3.7%
Striploin Fresh
900-1,650
1,350.70
1,000-1,650
1,358.11
1,000-1,650
1,390.03
2.9%
2.4%
Tenderloin Fresh
1,500-2,300
2,114.45
1,550-2,595
2,089.26
1,500-2,680
2,137.87
1.1%
2.3%
Ground 90% Bulk, Fresh
525-640
581.26
525-640
578.00
525-640
578.00
-0.6%
0.0%
Ground 85% Bulk, Frozen
500-630
592.55
500-630
589.37
500-795
599.54
1.2%
1.7%
Ground 85% Patties, Frozen
500-650
601.21
565-620
601.96
500-760
625.67
4.1%
3.9%
*source USDA


Canadian Bison Cuts - Grain Fed Wholesale ($Cdn/kilogram)
Mid-January 2015 Pricing
Mid-February 2015 Pricing
Mid-March 2015 Pricing
Mid-April 2015 Pricing
Tenderloin - Fresh
$52.00 - $57.95
$52.00 - $59.95
$56.00 - $65.00
$52.00 - $56.00
Strip Loin Boneless - Fresh
$29.75 - $34.00
$32.00 - $34.00
$28.00 - $34.00
$30.50 - $32.00
Inside Round - Fresh
$15.10 - $19.50
$15.45 - $19.50
$15.25 - $19.50
$15.25 - $16.00
Ground 90% Bulk Fresh
$10.95 - $13.00
$13.00 - $13.95
$13.50 - $14.00
No prices reported
Fresh Bison Trim
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00 - $12.75
$12.50 - $13.50
$12.75 - $14.0