Feds Announce Funding for Canadian Bison Promotion

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced $226,000 in funding for the Canadian Bison Association to promote bison beef beyond current markets.

The funding will assist the association in building marketing relationships and strengthen industry advocacy initiatives with the United States.

The association represents 600 bison producers. In 2012, the Canadian bison industry generated $32 million worth of live and bison meat exports.

Minister Ritz made the announcement shortly after the Canada-EU free trade deal was struck. Once the deal is ratified, which could take up to two years, Canadian bison producers will theoretically have access to about a $50 million market.