Pictures

Hornaday didn't stop fighting to preserve and protect the buffalo. He was instrumental in the establishment of the American Bison Association and moving 40 head of bison into the 10 acres of National Zoo land. His efforts continued through the early 1900s, with support from President Theodore Roosevelt and a couple of handfuls of large land owners across the nation, Hornaday established breeding herds for private and public lands so the population might survive and thrive.

Until the late 1800s America's iconic bison migrated through parts of the U.S. east of the Mississippi. Our ranch is located in the natural migration trails of those herds.

We know from journals of early explorers that bison roamed East Tennessee and flourished on the native grasses, such as sideoats grama, indiangrass and bluestems. Reintroducing those native grasses to parts of our fields reestablishes the history that provided a natural and healthier diet for bison than what our present-day grasses alone can provide. While we continue to seed red clover, bermuda, timothy/rye blend and orchard grasses, we want to provide the herd with as much variety throughout the cool and warm seasons. However, these native grasses serve other species as well, including butterflies and smaller mammals and birds.

We are not a large operation, therefore our herd numbers are closely monitored and strategized. In order to remain a grass-fed operation, each animal is provided about 4-acre average grazing allotment. That keeps our numbers low and control high. We will never have big numbers of calves as a result.

We raise our herd a minimum of three years before they are or can be moved from our land. During that time genetics, behaviors, and confirmation is monitored in order to choose animals for cull (meat animals) and those for breeding prospects in other operations. Our calves remain with the herd the first 3 years, learning from the previous generations and establishing their survival instincts as wild animals.

During that period, the herd is doing their part to reestablish the ecosystem on our ranch. We are seeing vegetation that has been farmed out of existence over the past three generations while this land was used for dairy production. Birds that have not been commonly seen for years are beginning to return (and use bison fur for nesting) or consuming digested waste.

Of course, they remain wild! We are regularly asked if they are tame and we can get in the fields with them. And, we can and do. However, they are not our pets, they are not domesticated, and our respect of their natural behaviors maintains a healthy relationship between them and us. They recognize we are not a threat, that we are part of their survival, and they "tolerate" us in their space. And for that, we are grateful for the opportunity they allow us to view their day to day life. **Buffalo Ridge Farm is NOT a petting zoo. Our "tours" do not involve personal interaction with our herd**