MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

For more information:
Dave Carter (303) 292-2833
(303) 594-4420
david@bisoncentral.com

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (May 21, 2007) — The recently announced agenda for the third International Bison Conference in Rapid City, S.D., July 24-28, promises to bring together all interested and invested parties in the bison industry — chefs and restaurateurs, bison producers, processors, retailers, traders, governmental organizations, researchers, consultants, veterinarians and the just plain curious.

The educational portion of the conference includes discussions and information-sharing on topics that include adding bison to menus, health benefits, agri-tourism, animal health and welfare, bison production, marketing and more.
Keynote speakers at the conference’s kick-off ceremony at Mount Rushmore on July 24 will include Ted Turner, founder of Ted’s Montana Grill and owner of a 48,000-head bison herd, and former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
On Wednesday, “Bison Heritage and History” is the educational focus, featuring keynote speakers Bruce Knight, the U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for marketing, and a top representative of the Canadian Agriculture Ministry. Break-out sessions will include discussions of the historic range of bison and its connection to native cultures.
Thursday’s theme is “Bison in the Marketplace,” with a keynote address by Erika Lesser, executive director of Slow Food USA, speaking about bison’s alignment in this popular movement. Presentations include the rules and regulations surrounding nutritional and environmental claims on food labels and agri-tourism efforts in the industry.
“Bison Production and Animal Husbandry” is planned for discussion on Friday. Keynoting that session will be Allan Savory, founder of the Savory Institute. Savory is internationally recognized for his work in developing the holistic management approach to animal production, ranch management and resource stewardship. Other sessions that day will address holistic animal management tactics and bison nutrient profiles.

Among the presentations will be a workshop presented by Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University. Grandin is internationally recognized for her work in humane animal handling.
During the conference, attendees can participate in fun and eclectic optional activities such as a motorcycle tour of the Black Hills, a chuck wagon dinner, a concert by fiddler Kenny Putnam and an auction for a custom edition Harley Davidson motorcycle. The conference ends on a high note with a Friday-night rodeo and a Saturday-afternoon family day at Custer State Park. Preceding the conference, July 20-24, is a four-day wagon train through Custer State Park, the “Plains, Trains & Tatonka Wagon Train and Horseback Ride.” The complete conference agenda and registration form can be found at www.ibc2007.com.
As is evidenced by this all-encompassing event, bison is making a comeback in a big way. In 2006, sales of bison meat increased 21 percent, up from a 17 percent increase in 2005. Since 2002, sales have more than doubled. This growth has been seen from backyard grills to high-end restaurants. Bison aficionados across the board are recognizing bison as a healthier, leaner and more flavorful alternative to other red meats.

The National Bison Association (www.bisoncentral.com) and the Canadian Bison Association (www.canadianbison.ca) are sister nonprofit organizations that promote the preservation, production and marketing of bison. Their activities and services serve to better inform and educate members and the general public about bison. The NBA represents over 1,500 members who raise over 250,000 head of bison and has members in all 50 states and in 10 countries. The CBA has approximately 850 members throughout Canada.