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RAPID CITY, S.D. (NAFB) – The bison industry has a newly-chartered Center of Excellence for Bison Studies, which grew out of the industry’s need for research.

Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association, says after talks with South Dakota State University they rolled up their sleeves to make the dream a reality.

The Center of Excellence was chartered September 2020 as a partnership between South Dakota State University, the National Bison Association, and the National Buffalo Foundation. The Center will be headquartered at SDSU’s West River Research and Extension facility in Rapid City.

Carter says the National Bison Association sent out requests for proposals of research to be done at the center.

The National Bison Association Winter Conference held February 19-20, had a presentation on the center to inform the producers and garner funding for research. Carter says an anonymous donor offered to match up to $50,000 in new donations in support of the Center.

The center will focus on research activities to improve bison herd health and the economic viability of both private and tribal bison producers.