North Dakota Bison Auction Draws Bidders From Nationwide

CANNON BALL, N.D. (AP) — A weekend bison sale at a North Dakota ranch drew buyers from as far as Idaho, Missouri and Texas.

KXMB-TV reports about 800 bison were auctioned Saturday at the Bev and Ernie Fischer ranch near Cannon Ball, as part of efforts to downsize their herd. It was one of the biggest bison sales in the country this year.

More than one-fourth of the nation's bison are raised by ranchers in the Dakotas. Adam Hoffman of Sisseton, South Dakota, bought nearly one-fifth of the bison for sale Saturday.

The sale came during a time of extraordinary demand for bison, with the animals bringing the highest prices in a decade.

The North Dakota Buffalo Association holds its annual auction Jan. 9 in Napoleon. The association will sell up to 300 animals.