Plains Bison, Wood Bison and Crosses

Bison profiles in Alberta may refer to Plains bison, Wood bison or mixed ancestry. These descriptions relate to recognized forms of North American bison and the genetics of particular herds.

North America has two commonly recognized bison subspecies

Plains bison and Wood bison are commonly recognized as subspecies of the North American bison. They have different historical ranges and conservation histories.

Commercial herds can have different backgrounds

Farmed bison herds may be described according to their breeding history. Some producers emphasize Plains bison genetics, while others may describe Wood influence or crosses.

A breed description does not explain the whole farm

Genetics are one part of a production system. Feeding, handling, health management, environment and processing also affect the story behind the meat.

Conservation and commercial production are different contexts

Wild bison conservation programs and commercial bison ranching can involve different goals, management decisions and regulatory considerations. Consumers should avoid assuming information about one automatically describes the other.

Ask when genetics matter to you

If a producer makes a specific claim about the ancestry or genetics of a herd, ask what that description means and how the producer documents it.