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How to Raise Buffalo in Indiana

American buffalo are majestic creatures that once roamed Indiana and much of North America but now can be found grazing on private farms or in certain national parks like Yellowstone. If you admire these creatures and have a pasture area for them, you can join several existing Indiana buffalo farms and start raising buffalo yourself. Because the animals are native to the continent, where the population once totaled 60 million, they can thrive on most grasses that grow in Indiana, don't need barns and are extremely hardy, making them as easy to raise as domestic cattle.

Things You'll Need

Open farmland with pasture
Water supply
6-foot cattle fencing

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the type of buffalo herd you want. Contact your local Indiana county extension office to locate a breeder from whom you can purchase starter animals.
- 2
  Consult with the county extension office or USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service for help in figuring out how many animals you can stock on Indiana farmland you have available.
- 3
  Purchase cattle fencing at least six feet in height and install around your pasture to contain your herd. Ensure that there is an adequate water supply, such as a clean, fresh-water pond, stream or water troughs connected to a hose.
- 4
  Find an experienced Indiana breeder through groups like the National Bison Association or Eastern Bison Association to purchase your first animals. Contact an agricultural veterinarian to vaccinate and de-worm your herd.
- 5
  Cull your mature herd of any infertile bulls or cows that fail to produce calves after the first couple of seasons. Replace bulls on a three-year cycle.
- 6
  Apply hay to your pasture or set up grain feeders to complement hard-to-access pasture grass during the winter if there is a deep snow cover.

Animals & Science