Impact/Purpose:

The technical challenge to sustainability that this project addresses is how humans can produce food in a less environmentally degrading manor.

Description:

If the Bison are managed in a low impact method then we can count on meat that is free of antibiotics, added hormones, and other industry byproducts. In fact, Federal regulations prohibit the use of artificial growth hormones in bison, and industry protocols prohibit the use of ‘subtherapeutic’ antibiotics. If the results of this study show that Bison may impact the pasture and streams less than Cattle while producing more meat that is healthier for consumers to eat, then it will certainly have the potential impacts on future food production in the US. The anticipated long term future goal this study is the beginning of an experimental Bison Ranch that will document the impacts of putting Bison on a pasture and determine the economic feasibility of low input methods of raising Bison.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:08/15/2010

Completion Date:08/14/2011

Record ID: 249482

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :MARSHALL UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :400 Hal Greer Blvd

Citation :Huntington

State :WV

Zip Code :25755

Project Information:

Approach :

We propose to do this by determining scientifically if Bison affect their pasture differently than Cattle and in what ways. To determine this a Bison pasture will be compared with a Cattle pasture of similar size and terrain, both of which will be compared to a fallow field as a control. The specific parameters to be studies include plant species diversity statistical analysis using ANOVA, persistence of native species, plant cover with relation to the creation of trails within the pasture, soil compaction evaluated by infiltration, and impacts on direct access streams evaluated by the West Virginia Save Our Streams protocol. Nearly one third of the prime top soil has been lost in the Unites States over the last 200 years due to poor agricultural practices, over grazing, and deforestation. Sedimentation and fecal bacteria load from farming and towns are now the main sources of non-point source pollution int he US. Cattle are a large contributor to this along with chickens and pigs. While entrepreneurial individuals have been raising Bison ever since ranchers moved into the plains, no one has scientifically shown whether raising Bison is better for the land than raising cattle. There has been speculation that because Bison have feet that are shaped differently than cows that they tend to break up soil as they move instead on flattening and compacting it. If this is true a Bison pasture should show less compaction and greater vegetative cover. It has also been observed that Bison prefer to stand in hilltops facing into the wind instead of wallowing in streams. If his is true then direct access streams should be less impacted. This project combines traditional scientific methods of Statistical Analysis with Environmental Science, Ecology, and Agriculture. Most of the costs involved with the particular study are travel costs and time invested. This particular research study should not have any demonstrable effects on the environment or resources. One un

Cost :$9,997.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Approach :

We propose to do this by determining scientifically if Bison affect their pasture differently than Cattle and in what ways. To determine this a Bison pasture will be compared with a Cattle pasture of similar size and terrain, both of which will be compared to a fallow field as a control. The specific parameters to be studies include plant species diversity statistical analysis using ANOVA, persistence of native species, plant cover with relation to the creation of trails within the pasture, soil compaction evaluated by infiltration, and impacts on direct access streams evaluated by the West Virginia Save Our Streams protocol. Nearly one third of the prime top soil has been lost in the Unites States over the last 200 years due to poor agricultural practices, over grazing, and deforestation. Sedimentation and fecal bacteria load from farming and towns are now the main sources of non-point source pollution int he US. Cattle are a large contributor to this along with chickens and pigs. While entrepreneurial individuals have been raising Bison ever since ranchers moved into the plains, no one has scientifically shown whether raising Bison is better for the land than raising cattle. There has been speculation that because Bison have feet that are shaped differently than cows that they tend to break up soil as they move instead on flattening and compacting it. If this is true a Bison pasture should show less compaction and greater vegetative cover. It has also been observed that Bison prefer to stand in hilltops facing into the wind instead of wallowing in streams. If his is true then direct access streams should be less impacted. This project combines traditional scientific methods of Statistical Analysis with Environmental Science, Ecology, and Agriculture. Most of the costs involved with the particular study are travel costs and time invested. This particular research study should not have any demonstrable effects on the environment or resources. One un

Cost :$9,997.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Agriculture

Approach :

We propose to do this by determining scientifically if Bison affect their pasture differently than Cattle and in what ways. To determine this a Bison pasture will be compared with a Cattle pasture of similar size and terrain, both of which will be compared to a fallow field as a control. The specific parameters to be studies include plant species diversity statistical analysis using ANOVA, persistence of native species, plant cover with relation to the creation of trails within the pasture, soil compaction evaluated by infiltration, and impacts on direct access streams evaluated by the West Virginia Save Our Streams protocol. Nearly one third of the prime top soil has been lost in the Unites States over the last 200 years due to poor agricultural practices, over grazing, and deforestation. Sedimentation and fecal bacteria load from farming and towns are now the main sources of non-point source pollution int he US. Cattle are a large contributor to this along with chickens and pigs. While entrepreneurial individuals have been raising Bison ever since ranchers moved into the plains, no one has scientifically shown whether raising Bison is better for the land than raising cattle. There has been speculation that because Bison have feet that are shaped differently than cows that they tend to break up soil as they move instead on flattening and compacting it. If this is true a Bison pasture should show less compaction and greater vegetative cover. It has also been observed that Bison prefer to stand in hilltops facing into the wind instead of wallowing in streams. If his is true then direct access streams should be less impacted. This project combines traditional scientific methods of Statistical Analysis with Environmental Science, Ecology, and Agriculture. Most of the costs involved with the particular study are travel costs and time invested. This particular research study should not have any demonstrable effects on the environment or resources. One un

Cost :$9,997.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Water

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU834764

Project type :EPA Grant