Performance of American bison (Bos bison) in feedlots

The performance of bison finished on grain and forage was evaluated in summ er and winter. In the first experiment, 58 bison bulls were finished for sl aughter (90 day period beginning in late October 1993 and 1994). Half of th e bulls fed with a feed-weigh station were compared to bulls fed with indus try standard self-feeders. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found i n average daily gain between the two feed delivery methods. The feed-weigh station then was used to assess seasonal effects on average daily gain of 1 56 bison bulls. After correcting for initial body weight, average daily gai n was higher in summer (1.1 kg/d(-1)+/-0.004) than in winter (0.7 kg d(-1)/-0.005). This was associated with higher average daily feed consumption in summer(14.3 kg d(-1)+/-1.15) than in winter (10.6 kg d(-1)+/-1.15). Althou gh not as striking as in northern cervids, seasonal energetic cycles of bis on are a significant consideration in commercial management.