Northern Ont. bison farm celebrates 50 years on the range
It started with one female bison and now, a family-run farm in Earlton, Ont., is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Nestled along a quiet road a short drive north of Temiskaming Shores, the shaggy creatures graze at Bison du Nord, a farm that was started by Pierre Belanger and his father Laurent.
"My father had been dreaming about this," Belanger said.
"We had one bison cow. They were hard to find back then. It was the beginning of the industry and it took us years to find one bull for the cow."
The farm is one of the pioneer commercial bison herds in Canada.
Belanger’s herd of 400 bison roam in large, open pastures year-round.
The meat is available at select butcher shops and is used to make bison burgers, sausage, meat pies and tacos.
In 1967, Laurent received a letter the Canadian government that was advertising the sale of live bison for ranching purposes. It opened the door to private ranching in Canada and kick-started the dream.
The Belangers welcomed their first bison on the land, that was also home to the Coopérative des artistes du Nouvel-Ontario (CANO), in 1972. Six bulls would follow in 1973 and the herd was born.
Over the years, Belanger helped establish the Canadian Bison Association and the Ontario Bison Association, serving as president for both organizations.
Along with many others from across the country, Bison du Nord took part in the development of infrastructure for the bison industry from animal handling protocols to developing markets for bison products.
"My children have joined me in the ranch operations. So now we’re really growing it," he said.
"We ship meat all over the province with refrigerated trucks and now we have a good-sized commercial operation."
In 2019, the farm began to expand activities to offer our farm tours for students and families, so they could get up close to the animals and learn more about them and the production.
A bison cow and its calf at Bison du Nord in Earlton, Ont. Sept. 21/22 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
To celebrate its 50 years, Bison du Nord was selected to host the Ontario Bison Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) with bison farmers from Ontario and Quebec visiting for tours of the farm along with seminars with keynote speaker Wes Olson, a former farmer and bison expert.
Olson recently published his book 'The Ecological Buffalo.'
"They’re a wonderful animal. Everyone should experience bison sometime," he said.
Olson finds that most bison farmers are actually conservationists at the same time, bringing the animal back from near extinction to a healthy population.
He estimates there are between 350,000-400,000 bison in Canada and the U.S.
"Bison occupied North America for 130,000 years from the Gulf Coast to the east and the west coast," Olson said. "Also all the way up into Alaska. They interact with every species that exists in that landscape."
Bison du Nord supports the local food scene on both sides of the border, participating in the North on Tap Craft Beer Festival and recently wrapped up in serving more than 2,500 bison tacos at the 20th edition of the Foire gourmande de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue et du Nord-Est ontarien.
The farm is now prepping for a fall release of a new item:bison summer sausages.
"The future does look bright for the bison industry. We still have new producers getting in," said Les Kroeger, the Canadian Bison Association president.
"After COVID, the markets are opening up again."
With 50 years under his belt, Belanger has no intentions of slowing down just yet.
Pierre Belanger started Bison du Nord with his father, Laurent. Sept. 21/22 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
"I’m good for another 25 (years). After that, I think it’ll go to my children," he said. "They’ve got the momentum."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.