By Scout Nelson
The nation's largest buffalo herds reside at Slim Buttes Ranch, which is sandwiched between the ranching settlements of Buffalo and Bison. Sandy Limpert and his spouse Jacki made the decision to switch to buffalo in 1989 due to market difficulties, having previously raised sheep and cattle for many years.
"Before we got the buffalo, we had sheep and cattle. It was a constant battle," Sandy explained. Buffalo, unlike cattle, can calve on their own, fend off predators, and thrive in extreme weather. The shift required capital, so they creatively financed their operation by purchasing buffalo heifers, keeping records, and selling lower-performing ones.
Today, their buffalo herd is highly sought after for its superior genetics. Their careful selection allowed them to double the rate of gain in the feedlot and reduce time from birth to processing.
The Limperts also improved their ranch's health by implementing rotational grazing. "We move them every seven days, so the pastures only get grazed seven days out of the year," their son Brodie said. This method increased their land’s carrying capacity and led to the reappearance of native grass species.
The family continues to ship buffalo weekly to a family-owned processor in Colorado, with demand for their product exceeding supply. They credit their success to forward-thinking practices and the resilience of buffalo.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock, Dairy Cattle, Sustainable Agriculture