As a keystone species, bison shape and sustain the landscapes they roam. Their presence enriches grasslands, supports biodiversity, and reflects a conservation story unlike any other. The National Mammal designation honors not only the ecological power of these “ecosystem engineers,” but also the cultural, historical, and economic significance they hold for Tribal Nations, ranchers, conservationists, and communities across the country.

On May 9, 2016, President Barack Obama signed the bipartisan Bison Legacy Act, officially recognizing the North American bison as our National Mammal. The legislation celebrated the species’ extraordinary recovery from near extinction and acknowledged its deep ties to Indigenous peoples, its role in shaping the American West, and its growing importance in regenerative agriculture and conservation.

The effort to secure this designation was led by a broad coalition, including the National Bison Association (NBA), the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) — a testament to the shared commitment to honoring and protecting this iconic species.

Throughout the year, communities nationwide will host “Bison‑tennial” celebrations, bringing people together to reflect on the bison’s past, celebrate its present, and look toward a vibrant future. The NBA is proud to join partners, producers, and Tribal Nations in recognizing the bison’s enduring legacy and its rightful place as the National Mammal of the United States.

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When the snow settled and the competition wrapped up, Delaney McGowen of Eastern Wyoming College earned the top collegiate ranking. Teigen Derner of Laramie County 4‑H won the senior high division, and Lucy Hester of West Grand Elementary/Middle School claimed top honors in the junior division. The Eastern Wyoming College team of Cort Bannan, Rebecca Gardner, Delaney McGowen, and Anthony Quick secured the top team award.

Ava Roundy of Eastern Wyoming College placed second in the collegiate division. In the senior division, Hudson Wright of Laramie County 4‑H took second, followed by Brylee Snell of Laramie County 4‑H in third. In the junior division, Spencer Bohnenkamp of Mountain Grove placed second, and Lilyko Suzuki of Bibber Creek placed third. Rounding out the team rankings, the Eastern Wyoming College group of Ellen Hartman, Ava Roundy, Athena Swinart, and Conley Hogland earned second place, with the Laramie County 4‑H team of Hudson Wright, Walter Martinz, Allis Martinz, and Teigen Derner finishing third.

The top three junior competitors received plaques, while senior and collegiate top finishers were awarded plaques and scholarships. The National Bison Association extends its gratitude to the scholarship sponsors: Twin Brook Farm, Canadian River Bison, Texoma Bison Company, National Buffalo Foundation, Rocky Mountain Bison Association, and Rocky Mountain Natural Meats. Collaboration across the bison industry ensures that knowledge and passion for bison are passed on to the next generation.

John Graves, President of the Rocky Mountain Bison Association and event organizer, shared, “This year’s Junior Judging event was fantastic, and the participants had a wonderful time despite the cold and snow. The GTSS animals were some of the highest‑quality we’ve had, making judging quite a challenge—but one the kids rose to. GTSS Judge Dr. Gerald Parsons helped select the classes and added a few challenging animals to really test the students. Overall, the kids performed well in the live animal placings. Over the years, participants have continued to improve their oral reasons, and this year was no exception, with very thorough and convincing presentations. We look forward to continuing to grow participation in this event.”

The Junior Judging competition is held annually at the National Western Stock Show and is organized by the National Bison Association and the Rocky Mountain Bison Association, which together represent more than 1,200 members across all 50 states and 10 foreign countries.

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The NBA’s 2025 conference season was our most successful yet, with four regional summer conferences drawing over 350 attendees to working bison operations across the North, South, East, and West, and a sold‑out Winter Conference welcoming more than 600 participants. Members showcased incredible talent—from hands‑on cooking demos like Benjamin Lee Bison’s sous vide session to a vibrant new research poster showcase featuring 25 cutting‑edge projects spanning restoration, nutrition, herd health, ecology, and industry innovation. These gatherings highlight the strength of our member‑led education model, where hosts shape the programming, experts share practical insights, and bison stewards build meaningful connections that strengthen the entire community.

The NBA’s consumer and producer outreach efforts reached new heights in 2025, thanks to strong support from the member‑driven Growth Fund. We connected with consumers at 14 in‑person events where chefs showcased bison “beyond the buffalo burger,” introducing attendees to premium cuts and creative dishes, while social media collaborations with young culinary influencers generated nearly 1.5 million impressions. At the same time, we expanded producer outreach through booths at farm shows and soil health conferences, helping current and future producers understand the value bison can bring to their operations. With 40% growth in in‑person outreach, 45 member contributors to the Growth Fund, and bison featured at 29 total events, the NBA is strengthening awareness, education, and enthusiasm across the entire industry. Looking ahead, we’re investing 20% more Growth Fund dollars into outreach and education in 2026 to keep this momentum strong.

The NBA is committed to empowering producers with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive, offering members access to live bison pricing, herd health insights, production expense data, digital marketing resources, and a library of more than 150 educational videos. Behind the scenes, the NBA also works to ensure fair access to federal cost‑share programs and FSA financing through strong business planning support and market data. Our focus on herd health continues to drive meaningful progress, securing federal funding for bison‑specific research and uniting leading scientists to advance the species. Following the momentum of the 2024 International Bison Health Symposium, the NBA is actively engaged in multiple grant‑funded projects—including studies on body condition scoring, winter bale grazing, and the development of a national herd health network—while also updating all educational tools through a new USDA grant. At the federal level, we are advocating for dedicated agricultural funding to support long‑term, bison‑specific herd health initiatives.

The NBA had a strong year of advocacy in 2025, working closely with Congress and federal agencies to support bison producers and expand opportunities across the industry. Our in‑person lobbying trips, National Bison Day celebrations, and ongoing agency engagement helped secure major wins, including $1.75 million in Senate funding for MCF research, a new $5 million producer marketing grant program, continued vaccine development, and the addition of bison to key APHIS and NRCS programs. We also strengthened market access through tariff eliminations and new trade opportunities, ensured producers remain eligible for FSA support programs, and continued important work with FDA on clear labeling for bison products. Altogether, these accomplishments reflect the NBA’s commitment to fair policy, strong representation, and a thriving future for bison stewards.

As we carry this momentum forward, we invite you to help strengthen the work of the National Bison Association in an even more meaningful way. Contributions to the Growth Fund or through NBA sponsorships provide essential support, ensuring we remain responsive to our members and able to advance the mission we all care about. Whether through a cash gift, a donor‑advised fund, or another form of support, your generosity directly fuels the programs, advocacy, and resources that uplift bison stewards nationwide. By making a gift to the NBA, you’re not only supporting today’s work—you’re helping create a lasting legacy for the future of bison across the country. Email info@nationalbison.org, or call (303) 292-2833, ext. 700 to learn more.

CLICK HERE to explore the entire 2025 National Bison Association Year End Report.

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The Annual Report is a glimpse at all that has happened in the last year. We want to invite our membership to fully utilize their memberships and communicate our wins and vision for 2025. You will notice quickly that there has been a pretty big increase in connecting with consumers, members, and potential members. In 2024, the NBA held six member conferences attended by over 1,000 people! The NBA was also represented through presentations and outreach at over one hundred events.

Our 2024 summer conference season welcomed the most attendees to date. We partnered with Texas Bison Association/ ROAM Ranch, Kansas Buffalo Association/ Kansas Wildlife and Parks, Eastern Bison Association/ Pitcher Farms, and Rocky Mountain Bison Association/ Prairie Ridge Buffalo Ranch to offer events in the North, South, East and West. These events collectively gathered over 350 members, all on working bison operations across the country.

Also, this summer, we welcomed over 120 veterinarians, researchers, and bison stewards at the International Bison Health Symposium held in Brookings, SD. They represented 16 U.S. States, 3 Canadian Provinces and 3 Nations. Gathering these bison health professionals together leads to shared resources and networking, exchanging ideas and best practices with the goal of keeping bison healthy and thriving.

The generosity of members of all sizes has been robust this year in support of the Growth Fund. The NBA Growth Fund was established to raise important funds that support the NBA’s outreach to consumers and the general promotion of bison to the public. Donations to this fund raise these crucial outreach dollars and support the day-to-day operations of the NBA’s important work.

For 2024, we have achieved a 50% increase for in-person consumer outreach. We had a really neat opportunity to collaborate with Ted’s Montana Grill utilizing social media influencers helping contribute to more than 1 million people reached through social media. The NBA reached about 63,000 through in person outreach with presence at 5 producer-facing farm shows and conferences and ten consumer events.

In throwing around all these numbers and statistics, we would be missing the mark if we did not highlight that we continue to provide membership access to live bison pricing, herd health information, production expense data, and marketing materials and tools. The NBA provides year-round legislative and regulatory work with Congress and federal agencies to ensure an even playing field for bison producers and marketers while supporting policies that will restore bison across North America.

We are excited to offer our members cost share for grazing practices, and in many cases premiums for bison calves raised regeneratively. To see if you qualify simply email: karen@bisoncentral.com to learn more about the NBA’s involvement in the Grass is Greener on the Other Side – Developing Climate-Smart Beef and Bison Commodities project. This is made possible through collaboration with South Dakota State University, the SDSU Center of Excellence in Bison Studies, Tanka Fund, and generous grant funding through the USDA NRCS Climate Smart program.

This community spanning the globe is bound by the heritage of the American Bison and is building a future for the animal we love and the people that steward them. A small and mighty staff are doing this work alongside a wonderful collection of members and partner organizations. Thank you to all of you who served as leaders of our organization in 2024! We truly value what you bring to the table and hope you will continue to serve this organization. We would love to have more of you join us to provide governance and guidance, teach at and host events, share your stories with others and help mentor beginning bison stewards. Through collaboration we are able to fulfill our mission through education, bringing people together, communication, events, promoting bison, facilitating relationships, and providing a coordinated national voice.

Click here to read our full 2024 Annual Report.

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