Frequently Asked Questions
Prairie Regeneration
What is regenerative organic agriculture?
Regenerative organic agriculture is a term first coined by Robert Rodale is defined by the Regenerative Organic Alliance as, “a collection of practices that focus on regenerating soil health and the full farm ecosystem.” Regenerative organic practices encourage a holistic approach to farming through focus on improvement of environmental, social, and economic measures, not just maintenance of the current status quo. Regenerative organic practices also emphasize the importance of soil health, as soil is linked to the health of the food system on the whole. Through regenerative organic practices, we are also held to a higher standard for animal welfare, worker fairness, and nature-aligned ranching practices.
Why is regenerative agriculture important?
Regenerative agriculture is more than a method of product. It respects an ancient wisdom of indigenous practices that focuses on the interconnectedness of all life. By rehabilitating soil, respecting animal welfare, and enhancing farmer livelihoods, regenerative organic agriculture is a beacon of hope in addressing our overall climate and the challenges that come with environmental challenges. Our decision to practice regenerative organic agriculture and our work to become the first Regenerative Organic Certified meat producer in the U.S. is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this revolutionary movement.
How is regenerative organic different from organic?
Organic certifications place a heavy emphasis on a prescriptive standard for conserving biodiversity and reducing the use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides. While this is an incredibly important practice, and is a requirement for Regenerative Organic Certification, regenerative organic agriculture goes beyond conservation and into, as the name implies, regeneration and creation of a resilient, healthy ecosystem. In short, regenerative organic goes beyond promotion of ecological balance and biological diversity and focuses on soil regeneration and overall climate health.
How does regenerative agriculture combat climate change?
Regenerative agriculture focuses on the creation of healthy, biodiverse, nutrient-rich soil systems. By creating healthy soil systems, we are able to increase carbon sequestration by native flora, which then reduces the amount of free carbon in the atmosphere. Regenerative agriculture also decreases the prevalence of water pollution by focusing on holistic land management, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers that can subsequently run off of farms and into waterways like creeks, streams, and rivers.
What is carbon sequestration?
Carbon sequestration refers to the process by which grasses and forbs withdraw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their root systems and the surrounding soil. Native prairie plants have extensive, deep root systems that allow for the storage of significant amounts of carbon when compared to invasive and traditional agricultural species of flora. The underground storage of carbon by prairie plants also makes them highly effective carbon sinks in comparison to forest ecosystems, which may be more susceptible to carbon release in instances of wildfires.
Is bison meat better for the environment?
Bison are considered a keystone species in the Great Plains ecosystem and have evolved in tandem with this landscape for centuries. When compared with species of domestic cattle used for meat production, it has been found that bison move more frequently across larger landscapes, spend less time lingering in delicate riparian areas, efficiently utilize a wider range of lower quality forage, and intake more nitrogen from roughage during the digestive process. They also gently disturb the earth with their hooves as they range over large landscapes, helping to disperse seeds from prairie flora. In short, the natural tendencies of bison actively play a role in prairie regeneration and overall soil health and can contribute to a flourishing prairie ecosystem.
For a deeper look at the impact of bison versus cattle on landscapes, we recommend this paper.
What sustainability practices does Wild Idea follow?
The simplest way to put it, and what you will most often hear us say, is that Wild Idea ranches as nature intended. Sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices are at the forefront of every decision we make. On the ranch, our 100% grass-fed and finished bison are born and live their entire lives on the open prairie with the freedom to roam over large landscapes. We do not contribute to the prevalence of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and high-volume slaughterhouses, both of which heavily contribute to atmospheric emissions and pollutant-dense runoff. With harvest, we strive to utilize every part of the animal in a model called “nose to tail”. For by-products we cannot use, we return them to the prairie to naturally decompose and provide nutrients for the soil and other organisms in the ecosystem.
We also recognize that shipping products, especially perishables, across the country is an inherently unsustainable practice and strive to limit our environmental impact through the use of biodegradable insulation, recyclable shipping containers, and data-driven shipping methods that reduce the amount of carbon emitted. We recently partnered with Cruz Foam to begin utilizing a hyper-biodegradable insulation made of 70% upcycled food waste that is FDA-approved for food contact, and are constantly looking for ways to continually improve this process.
What certifications do you have?
For over 25 years we have provided our customers with the healthiest meat on the planet, set the highest bar for animal welfare, and offered the best meat for the environment and future generations. As part of these efforts, we’ve taken it a step further to make our commitment official through certifying agencies like the USDA, ROC, AGW, and the National Audubon Society. Currently we are the first Regenerative Organic Certified meat producer in the U.S., are Certified Organic by the USDA, are Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed by AGW, and are Certified Bird Friendly by the National Audubon Society
Learn more about our certifications here.
Ranching As Nature Intended
What is a field harvest?
In a traditional meat production model, animals are taken from the land on which they are raised and finished in a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), commonly known as a feedlot. Animals are then moved from the feedlot to a traditional slaughterhouse, where they are processed on a highly automated line that can process upwards of 300 head an hour.
Our field harvest model is the complete opposite. All of our bison are born on the prairie and remain on the prairie for their entire lives. We have a custom-designed mobile harvest unit that enables us to travel to the bison for processing, reducing the stress of transport for the animal. Our marksman then goes out with a USDA inspector to do an antemortem inspection of the herd and select which animal will be harvested; the herd behavior is an important indicator of animal stress and if any negative indicators are given, the harvest will be postponed to allow the animals to settle. After an animal is selected and stunned, they are bled on the prairie and brought back to the mobile harvest unit for processing. For more information, you can check out our field harvest page.
What makes the field harvest so special?
Wild Idea is the only company in the United States currently doing large landscape field harvesting at scale. It’s no secret that a field harvest is not the most economical or efficient way to process animals for meat. It is, however, the most ethical way. Our field harvest allows us to raise our animals in their natural environment and eliminate stressors they would normally be subjected to in a traditional slaughter model. They remain with their family units for the duration of their lives, never see the inside of a transport truck, do not have to adjust to a feedlot environment, and never experience the stress of a slaughterhouse.
Through the field harvest, we are also able to return harvest byproducts like blood, inedible offal, and other unusable materials to the prairie rather than sending them for rendering or washing them into the water system. These byproducts provide invaluable nutrients for microbial communities in the soil that further aid in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, allowing us to actively work towards our mission of prairie regeneration.
Are your animals grass-fed?
Yes! All of our animals are 100% prairie grass-fed and finished.
What’s the difference between grass-fed, grain-finished and grass-fed, grass-finished?
Food product labeling can be misleading these days, and it’s important to know the difference between all the label claims that can be made. The food fed to your food will ultimately have an affect on your health. Grain-finished animals may be on pasture for a portion of their lives, but are finished by feeding supplemental grains like corn, soybeans, and wheat in a feedlot. These grains have higher energy levels, which speed up the weight gain process and increase the overall value of the animal on the rail. Because of the rapid weight gain, grain-fed animals do typically have more marbling, but will also be higher in calories and fat. Grass-fed, grass-finished animals are fed on grass for the entirety of their lives. These animals tend to be leaner and will have a lower calorie count than grain-fed meat. One consideration, however, is that animals can still be fed grass in a feedlot and it is important to verify how meat is raised.
It is important to note that while feeding claims are verified by the USDA and the FSIS, there are many different phrasings that can be misleading to the consumer. At Wild Idea, our animals are always prairie grass-fed and prairie grass finished on large landscapes, free of confinement and human interaction. We are also Certified Grass-Fed by A Greener World (AGW), which means that our animals are fed a 100% grass and forage diet while being raised outdoors on pasture at the highest welfare and environmental standard.
Are feedlots that bad?
Consumers have long been told that grain and corn-fed animals are a high quality source of protein. In feedlot settings, however, animals are often fed a silage of recycled foods in addition to grains; this silage can consist of french fries, potatoes, chips, pizza, stale bread products, brewery waste, chicken manure, feathers, beet pulp, stale chewing gum, and other similar items. Feedlots can also increase the amount of stress on animals, leading to a lower meat quality as a result of increased cortisol.
Are your bison vaccinated? Hormones? Antibiotics?
Our bison are never vaccinated or treated with antibiotics or hormones. We raise them as nature intended, free of human intervention.
Product Information
What is the difference between a buffalo and a bison?
Simply put, both names refer to the same animal, Bison bison, when discussed in the U.S.. At Wild Idea, we raise the Great Plains Bison Bison bison bison, which is a subspecies. The name “buffalo” is thought to have originated from European explorers who confused the animal they found in the New World with the Asian and African Buffalo they were more familiar with. The term buffalo was carried on by the Native American people in the Great Plains and became widely accepted. Both terms are acceptable and used widely. We use both!
How does Wild Idea’s buffalo meat compare to other meats?
Our buffalo is naturally leaner meat, with ⅓ less saturated fat than other grain-fed meats and higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed buffalo are also approximately 10% lower in cholesterol per 3 oz. serving and high in carotenoids like beta-carotene and Vitamin E, which function as antioxidants. Wild Idea Buffalo is also lower in calories than a variety of other meats, including beef, chicken, pork, and lamb.
Why is your meat more expensive?
Wild Idea’s commitment to humane field harvest, raising animals on the prairie, and feeding and finishing on grass prevents us from receiving a lot of the cost breaks other producers benefit from by using feedlots and slaughterhouses. By keeping our animals on the prairie, where they belong, rather than in a feedlot or slaughterhouse, they are also under our care for a longer period of time. Grass-fed animals are also not fed high-energy grains to stimulate weight gain, leading to longer intervals between birth and slaughter. Our processing times are also longer as a function of our mobile field harvest. While we do try to subsidize a portion of these costs for our end consumers, a higher quality protein source will ultimately come with a premium price tag.
How does Wild Idea “use the whole animal”?
In addition to processing the standard steaks, roasts, ground products, and sausages offered by many other companies, we strive to offer organ meats and delicacies that are rarely sold in stores. We also save our hides to be veg-tanned and used by companies like Moore & Giles, Patagonia, and Tecovas to produce a variety of boots, bags, and other small leather goods. Skulls are cleaned via burial or the use of Dermestid beetles for sale or donation to our local Native American communities. Finally, any inedible offal, blood, or other bits and pieces that cannot be used are buried on the prairie to allow for natural decomposition and return of valuable micronutrients to the soil, encouraging the regrowth of prairie grasses and contributing to overall soil health.
Any special tips for cooking bison meat?
Yes! We have a blog dedicated to recipes on our website, which you can find here. Did you know our co-founder, Jill, was a chef?
What do I do if the product I want is sold out?
Due to the unique nature of our humane field harvest, products will occasionally go out of stock. If a product you’re interested in is sold out, there will be a button on the listing that says “Notify Me When Available”. Just click the button, enter your email, and you’ll be notified when it’s back!
Do you offer gift cards or gift packages?
We offer both digital gift cards and curated bundles that are perfect for gifting. If you would rather send items a la carte, we would recommend selecting a few products, as smaller orders are more prone to thawing. Whatever you choose, it will be delicious!
Shipping and Ordering
What are the shipping options?
We base all shipping options offered on a number of factors, including distance from our fulfillment center in Independence, MO, average weather at the destination, and a transit maximum of three days, as we ship perishable products that need to remain frozen. Your location will determine whether your order is shipped Standard, Express, or Overnight. If you need your order a little bit sooner, you can always upgrade to the next fastest shipping option.
When will my order ship?
We currently ship standard and express orders on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to ensure that they do not get held over the weekend. Overnight orders may be shipped on Thursday. All orders received before 12:00 p.m. CST and within our shipping window of Monday through Wednesday will be shipped within 12-36 hours of order receipt. If you place an order outside of this window, it will be shipped the following Monday.
Can I ship to a PO Box?
Due to the perishable nature of our products, we cannot ship to PO boxes. We do everything within our power to catch orders with PO boxes listed before shipment, but please verify that your shipping address is correct at checkout, as we cannot make any modifications once your order has been received by FedEx.
Can I modify my order?
We understand that mistakes sometimes happen! Given our quick turnaround time, please communicate all requested modifications as soon as possible. Wild Idea will do our best to accommodate modifications to orders prior to shipping, but cannot guarantee that changes will be made. Once your order has shipped, we are unable to make any modifications to your order.
Can I find Wild Idea Buffalo meat in local stores?
Yes! Our Store Locator will help you find a company that carries Wild Idea near you.