About Catnip Hollow Bison
Catnip Hollow is the rural Wisconsin home of emergency veterinarian and bison aficionado Mark A Koeppl, DVM, and his wife Sheryl. It is managed for bison, wildlife and the restoration of prairies and other native habitats. Catnip Hollow Bison LLC sells healthy buffalo meat, animals, hides, skulls and other bison products.
Bison were nearly annihilated as our ancestors changed the continent; once, they numbered untold millions and represented one of the planet’s largest migrating hoof-stock populations. For eons before this upheaval, they co-evolved with the grassland ecosystem that defined most of North America. To this day, they convert sun energy to growth most efficiently, thriving on native grasses and other plants.
The result is a healthy, adaptable, quick and strong species. Another result is healthy meat. Bison has about a third the fat content compared to beef, largely because bison do not ‘marble’ the muscle with fat tissue. Cholesterol is lower and bison meat is very nutrient dense because of the proportion of high protein and low fat relative to its caloric value. A 3 oz portion of beef, for example, will be about 211 Kcal with about 9 grams of fat; a 3 oz portion of bison will be about 143 Kcal with just 2.4 grams of fat. Bison is a good source of iron, zinc, phosphorus and essential fatty acids. The American Heart Association includes bison in their lean meat dietary guidelines. Eating bison can help in lowering bad cholesterol levels. Recent information that is emerging suggests cancer preventative benefits, due to proportionally larger amounts of conjugated linoleic acid. Weight Watchers endorses buffalo as a healthy meat as part of a healthy diet.
Most people who try bison appreciate all of that but also enjoy the rich, textured flavor. Catnip Hollow bison are grass fed. Like fine wines and honey, this means the flavor can vary according to dominant pasture plants and other variables. It tends to be sweeter and richer than beef. Because of the low fat content, bison meat is best cooked “low and slow” for tender, juicy and tasty results.
Catnip Hollow bison originated with females from Custer State Park in South Dakota, known for its genetic purity and healthy animals. The Custer State Park herd, like most notable bison herds, can trace its beginnings to the restocking efforts after the great kill off of the late 1800’s. Despite the genetic bottleneck, there remains tremendous diversity in size, coloration, conformation and other factors. Bison are bright, curious and calm animals, always aware of the goings on around them. They are also playful, tending to run for the sheer joy of it and tossing round bales like toys.
The bison are handled generally once yearly for deworming and vaccination. The rest of the time, they roam about 60 acres of prairie, pasture, woodland and bottoms… peaceful and content.
They do not receive hormones, antibiotics or other additives at any time.
For those of us with concerns about cholesterol, weight and heart disease, bison can be a healthy addition or replacement for other meats in your diet. For those who miss eating venison, bison are free of CWD. For those of us with discerning palates, it is simply the most tasteful meat you can enjoy.
For more information and useful links, try the National Bison Association website: BisonCentral.com