YAKIMA, Wash. — Not a day goes by when Jim Hanson doesn't receive emails and phone calls from people requesting bison meat. Unfortunately, the Cle Elum rancher has none to sell.
"I have more customers than I can supply. It's an everyday thing," said Hanson, who has raised bison for 21 years at Swauk Prairie Bison. "There will be a real shortage of meat for awhile."
The meat — long touted for its health benefits — has gained a growing and loyal following in recent years, so much so that national demand has outstripped supply.
Although producers are trying to increase their herds, they said doing so requires keeping their heifers from slaughter. More meat will become available in coming years, but for now, they said there's little they can do.
"Any bit of (increased) interest will overwhelm the supply," Hanson said, noting that he's selling out of meat as soon as it's available, which didn't happen until midsummer a few years ago. "It's so subject to fluctuations like that."
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