Recently our Environmental Science class took a trip to a nearby buffalo farm, The Alta Vista Buffalo Farm, located in Rutland, Massachusetts. It is located in the Nashua River Watershed. The Alta Vista Buffalo Farm was once the New England forest up until 1724 when the buffalo farm was created. The farm specialized in dairy and livestock until 1965. The farm was a home to many different livestock, but the overwhelming love of the owners of the farm for bison made them force their effort into raising only buffalo in 1993. (See figure 1)
In the 1990’s, Americans started to worry more about the fat content of their food. They needed to find an alternative source of red meat, so they decided to eat bison. There is less fat and cholesterol in bison then in beef. Bison meat is high in protein and iron. It is also very healthy and nutritious. Because many people grew to like bison meat, the farm opened a retail store in 1994. (1)
Bison are the largest and mammals to be found up to this day since the Ice Age. Bison aren’t slow and awkward like people think. Bison can outrun many animals and have the agility of a deer. When buffalo live through winter conditions they can use their heads to move snow around. They can also eat the snow as a source of water. Bison grow rather quickly, weighing around 450 pounds by their first birthday. They mature in about 5-6 years weighing 1,000 pounds or more. (2)
Buffalo live together, otherwise known as symbiosis. Mutualism is when both species benefit from the relationship. (3)
(1) Alta Vista Bison Farm. 2002.
http://www.altavistabison.com/
(2) The Buffalo Guys.
http://www.thebuffaloguys.com/all_about_buffalo.asp
(3) Dip. Marine Studies. May 2000.
http://www.poliza.de/starship/sciencenew/symbiosis.htm
