The American bison’s brush with extinction is well-documented, as massive hunting during the United States’ westward expansion almost wiped the animal off the face of the earth. Thanks to careful conservation and environmental stewardship, there are more than 500,000 bison in North America, and bison meat has become a small but steady niche in the meat-processing industry.
The largest bison processor in the country is Rocky Mountain Natural Meats, located in Henderson, Colo. Founded in 1986, the company processes about 20,000 bison a year, which according to USDA reports, accounts for roughly half of the total amount of animals processed in this country. With strong markets in both the foodservice and retail side of the business, the company has experienced consistent growth.