For FAQs specific to a particular product, please see the FAQ section on that specific product page. All general FAQs for Pure Prairie business and products are here.
What are "Regenerative Agriculture" and "Holistic Grazing?" Why should I care?
These methods produce the most nutrient dense foods, produce the highest quality of life for livestock, and do so with a net-positive result on the environment. They produce win-win-win systems.
Regenerative agriculture, parallel to regenerative medicine, operates along a philosophy of beyond-sustainability. The idea is that land (specifically grasslands in the case of bison ranching) can not only be productive in perpetuity, but that the productivity itself can be improved and increased over time. For example: a given plot of grassland may support 10 bison today, and if it is managed properly, could support 20 bison in several years.
In a holistic grazing model, bison are allowed to graze on a plot for a few days before being moved to a fresh area of grass. The bison fertilize the soil and grasslands while they graze. This not only ensures that the bison have access to high-quality food, exercise, and sunshine (that's where the vitamin D comes from!), but also ensures that each stand of grass has adequate time to recuperate from being eaten.
These grazing techniques and revolutionary models for agriculture will produce high quality food now for you and I, and will produce even higher quality food for future generations.
However, the terms are not regulated, and essentially any company can claim "regenerative" status. The bison we source from are categorized as Land to Market EOV (Ecological Outcome Verification). This ultimately means that the ecology of the land our bison are raised on is scientifically verified to be improved through the grazing practices of the rancher and bison.
If the reader is curious about these carbon-sequestering nutrient-dense-produce-producing agricultural practices, they could and should pursue further research. Recommendations would start with Joel Salatin, Allen Savory and the Savory Institute, and simply searching for "regenerative agriculture."
Why bison? Why not beef or buffalo?
Bison are actually synonymous with the North American Buffalo, but "bison" is the technically-correct name for the animals colloquially referred to as "buffalo" in the United States. Bison is preferred to beef, as it is anatomically similar to the game consumed by our ancestors (such as the steppe bison in Europe). It is also more nutrient-dense than beef with the exception of just a few vitamins/minerals.
Bison are also native species to North America, and we think there are fewer foods considered "paleo-friendly" than native animals raised on native grasses on their historic habitat.
Are the bison grass-fed and grass-finished?
Our bison are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, and are never fed grain. They have access to open grass-covered pasture their entire lives, and are able to fully express their bison-ness everyday. They are never confined.
Are the bison raised and harvested humanely?
The bison are raised with the highest standards of animal husbandry, both living and dying with dignity. The bison are raised on a small family ranch that prioritizes the quality of life of the bison. Every bison grazes on open range and pasture, and are exposed to sunlight (producing vitamin D), fresh air, and weather conditions (bison may be the original Wim Hoffers) everyday--just as their ancestors have for millennia. These bison fully express their bison-ness everyday, and live a life without stress from predators. We hope to have field-harvested bison soon.
Have the organs been bled? Is Blood present in the supplement?
Our animals are butchered and fully bled by artisanal butchers. We utilize a small midwestern butchering business that takes pride in their work and properly handle the offal with skill. Blood is comprised of roughly 90% water, and this mositure is removed through the freeze-drying process. Blood plasma may be present, but not more than would be present in a steak.
You say your product is high integrity, but why isn't it organic?
Organic certification can indicate integrity, but it does not necessarily imply it. For example, there are some cows raised on organic grain that never get to express their cow-ness or graze open pasture as adults. These animals are not healthy, athletic, or something we would want to consume--however, they may be labeled "organic." Conversely, our bison are raised with exceptional husbandry standards, and far exceed most certified-organic operations. The ranch we source from utilizes holistic grazing and regenerative agriculture methods as endorsed by Allan Savory, Joel Salatin, American Grass-fed, and Holistic Management International.
Can I purchase using a FSA or HSA?
Unfortunately you cannot use these accounts to purchase our products.
Do you ship the product frozen, refrigerated, or with a cold pack?
We do not ship Bison Liver & Organ Complex in these states. After being freeze-dried, the complex is completely shelf-stable and does not benefit from refrigeration, freezing, or keeping cool.
Are hormones, steroids, vaccines, or antibiotics used on the bison?
These bison are not exposed to hormones or antibiotics, and using steroids on bison is illegal (and the practice is certainly not used on our bison!). Most of our bison are vaccinated, while some ranches we source from do not use any vaccines. The vaccines used do not utilize MRNA technology.
Are the bison GMO or fed GMO?
The bison are not genetically modified or fed genetically modified foods.
Do your ranches use glyphosate or atrazine?
We do not test our supplement for glyphosate. However, the ranches we source from do not use and have not used any glyphosate or atrazine on their land or grasses or properties.