Effects of grain-based diets on the rumen and fecal bacterial communities of the North American bison ().

To overcome the challenges of pasture-finishing of bison, producers commonly feed them with higher energy, grain-based diets to reach the desired market weight. However, decades of research on domesticated ruminants have shown that such diets can have profound effects on the composition of gut microbial communities. To gain further insight, the 16S rRNA gene-based study described in this report aimed to compare the composition of ruminal and fecal bacterial communities from two herds of bison heifers ( = 20/herd) raised on different ranches that were both transitioned from native pasture to a grain-based, free-choice diet for ~100 days prior to slaughter.

Pasture-finishing of bison improves animal metabolic health and potential health-promoting compounds in meat.

Background: With rising concerns regarding the effects of red meat on human and environmental health, a growing number of livestock producers are exploring ways to improve production systems. A promising avenue includes agro-ecological practices such as rotational grazing of locally adapted ruminants. Additionally, growing consumer interest in pasture-finished meat (i.

Influence of Grain- and Grass-Finishing Systems on Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, Nutritional Composition, and Consumer Sensory Attributes of Bison.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of two finishing systems (grain- or grass-finishing) on carcass characteristics, meat quality, nutritional composition, and sensory attributes of bison. Bison heifers were assigned to either a grain- or grass-finishing treatment for 130 days prior to slaughter. Carcass measurements, lean color and fat color were recorded.