Majestic. Breathtaking. Inspirational.
A bull stands solo in the rolling Sandhills of the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Niobrara Valley Preserve is home to two herds of about 1,300 bison total.
The grazing patterns of bison make them a natural part of the conservation efforts of The Nature Conservancy. The bison pastures cover 22,000 of the 56,000 acres managed by the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Fences around the bison pastures are of similar size and scope to those of cattle or even sheep. If bison have everything they need within the fence, there is no reason for them to get out.
A young calf nurses its mother at the Niobrara Valley Preserve. A newborn bison calf weighs about 40 pounds.
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A bison looks up from grazing, sensing that something or someone is watching her.
David Crites, Niobrara Valley program manager, designed the bison corral system. Here he stands in front of the “Berlinic cube” that funnels bison into the hydraulic squeeze chute.
The “winter count” on display at the Visitor Center pictorially records the history of the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.
Kristen Sindelar
Agriculture Reporter
