Bison Grazing on Public Land
Download this Information Sheet 299 KB 106 KB
Introduction
Legislative amendments took place to provide bison producers with an opportunity to raise bison on some public lands. Making certain public lands available for bison grazing provides bison producers with an option the cattle industry already enjoys. Providing this opportunity to the bison industry is consistent with Sustainable Resource Development’s commitment to provide access to long-term, secure grazing for agricultural users.
Bison grazing on public land will take place on fenced agricultural lands already identified and allocated for long-term grazing use.
Sustainable Resource Development will review applications based on the government’s multiple use approach to public land management and on commitments to Albertans, including the cattle industry, that bison grazing would not increase the risk of disease.
Bison operators who wish to have their animals graze on public land will be required to develop a management plan.
The program applies across the province with the exception of the area north of township 95, west of the Peace River and north of township 88, east of the Peace River.
Bison operators will be required to develop a management plan to address good range management practices, accommodation of multiple uses and the use of wildlife-permeable fencing (Fencing Guidelines for Bison on Alberta Public Lands).
For bison grazing, as with other livestock, continuous (year-round) grazing will not be permitted on public land due to adverse impacts on the range resource.
Once a management plan has been approved, authorization for bison grazing can be given on an agricultural disposition.
Current disposition holders interested in applying for bison grazing on agricultural public land need to contact their local agrologist at one of the offices listed in the website link below:
http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/lands/contactinformation.aspx
Or contact
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Lands Division
Rangeland Management Branch
4th Floor, 9920 – 108 Street NW
Great West Life Building,
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 427 3595
To avoid long distance charges within Alberta, you may either call your local long distance operator and ask for a RITE operator, or call 310 0000, a local toll-free number
