BUFFALO GOLD RUSH

Larry & Jacki HigginsVicki Andersen

HEART ROCK BISON

the Bison Advantage

Location

History/About UsMy wife Jackie, is a 4th generation rancher. We bought our first buffalo from the Denver

Buffalo Company in 2000, starting out with 15 cows and 1 bull. In the next few years we purchased4 bred heifers at the GTSS, then adding some of our own raised heifers we currently

have 25 cows and 1 herd bull. In 2001 we started finishing out raised and purchased buffalo for meat and jerky. We feed a ration of whole corn and a sunflower pellet for protein source.

We have competed in the market class category at the GTSS since 2001, plus entering live animals in the Peak to Peak Sale since 2006.

We are members of the NBA, RMBA, DTBA and WBA, and currently on the board of the RMBA.

Along with raising buffaloes, we raise beef and farm 3000 acres of winter wheat, corn, sunflowers and feed.

What we do• Bison Cow/ Calf– 25 cows/2 herd bull

• Finish Out– 45-50 head feedlot

• Whole corn• Protein• Free choice hay

• Meat– USDA inspected – ¼; ½; whole, steaks;

roasts; burger

• Jerky– USDA inspected• 2 ground/formed• 2 whole muscle

• Live– Sell minimal numbers

• Shows And Sales– GTSS and Peak to Peak

How we market• Word-of-mouth– Friends, neighbors

• Mile Saver Shopper– Local paper for Eastern

Colorado• Web site

– www.heartrockbison.com

• Repeat customers– 70%

• Fairs and shows– Local County fair• cook burgers• Promotion• Support community

– Small Trade shows

• High Plains Food Coop– Internet farmers market• Consumers go online to order and then we deliver

orders to Limon which is a pick up location for the products to be taken to Denver for further distribution • Once a month

Facilities

• New fencing/Old Fence– Pictures reflect new and old fencing

• Car Corrals– Built in late 60’s by father in law. Picked up cars from old

junk yard when I70 went thru. If sell one, have to replace with another. No imports – all USA made!

– If it’s not broke . . We continue to use the car corrals because they work. Don’t have difficulties working animals with this set up.

• Working facility• Feed Lot – pipe corral

Facilities/Herd and Health Management

• Facilities• Herd Management• Health Management

Herd /Health Management

• Best thing about Buffalo – They basically take care of themselves– Allows time spent farming (3,000 acres) and

running Beef – (175 cows)– 5% or below time spent on bison management.– Elevation 5600 ft. – do some spray worming. Don’t

really have any health issues. In past 10 yrs. have only lost 4 head.

Finance

Last 3 – 4 years we have netted $7,000 -10,000/year.There is plenty to be made in buffalo business as a

small operator.Niche markets – notice an increase in internet

markets as store deliveries decreaseAllows creative marketing

Happy Trails!