The bison business is riding a sustained wave of profitability as sales of the meat continued to grow. According to USDA, the prices marketers paid for dressed bison bulls averaged higher than $4.80 per pound throughout 2017. Dressed prices refer to the amount paid to ranchers once the animal is harvested.

Are bison more profitable than cows?

Because of their larger size and the relative rarity of bison, they command a much higher carcass price compared with beef. “There are over 40 million cattle in the U.S. and less than a million bison,” McFarland said.

How do you make money with bison?

Purchase bison to sell. Local ranchers or auction houses may have excess stock that they are willing to sell. Find the local market price by asking around and paying attention to auction values. Start with a small herd that can be easily managed until you are more confident in your bison raising abilities.