CONTRIBUTION OF THE BISON INDUSTRY TO THE NORTH DAKOTA ECONOMY

The commercial bison industry is relatively new to North Dakota. Therewere an estimated 23,000 head of bison in North Dakota in 1998, and theseanimals were found in 47 of 53 counties. The purpose of this study was toestimate the economic contribution of the bison industry to the NorthDakota economy. A survey of North Dakota bison producers andprocessors was conducted to provide estimates of direct impacts of bisonactivities within the state. Secondary economic impacts were determinedusing the North Dakota Input-Output Model.The direct impact of production and processing of bison in North Dakota in1998 was estimated at $23 million. The $23 million in direct impactsgenerated an additional $47 million in secondary impacts within the state.The North Dakota bison industry supported a total of 757 secondary full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs within the state. Total economic activitygenerated within the state was estimated at $70 million, including $27million in personal income and nearly $18 million in retail sales. Inaddition, the bison industry generated $4 million in tax revenue (includingproperty, personal income, sales & use, and corporate income taxes). Thedirect impact of bison production in 1998 ranked fourth in North Dakota'slivestock industry; below cattle and calves, dairy products, and hogs, andabove turkey and sheep.The average direct impact generated for every bison in the state was$1,000. Total economic activity generated per bison in 1998 was $3,100(includes direct and secondary impacts from production and processing).For every 30 head of bison an additional secondary FTE job was supported.