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Bison Producer Keegan Kitzul

Bison Producer Keegan Kitzul

With the rising cost of food, consumers are even more discerning about what they put in their shopping cart. Knowing who’s behind the product they buy and what goes into making it, helps retailers and consumers make informed decisions.

As part of our ongoing bison story, we’re introducing our clients, chefs and customers to some of the dedicated producers behind our product. So, meet Keegan Kitzul.

Keegan may be one of our youngest bison producers but he’s by no means wet behind the ears. A fifth generation farmer, Keegan is taking the knowledge and experience of his parents and grandparents before him, and applying it to his business of growing crops and raising bison.

We caught up with Keegan this month, after a delayed honeymoon in Bali with his wife Kendall, to ask him a few questions about being a bison producer in Canada.

You’re clearly one of the new generation of bison producers. How did you get into this business?

For me, it started when I was basically a kid, working for my dad on the farm one summer. He said, “do you want to get paid in cash or with a buffalo?” Of course, I took the buffalo calf, and looking back, I see that I was severely underpaid. But from then on, I was hooked.

My family got into bison in 2000, after my grandpa developed some health issues and was looking to move away from the cattle part of the farming operation. Dad wanted elk, grandpa wanted bison; it was something pretty new at the time, not a commodity, and they were easier to raise. You can see who won out.

When grandpa passed away in the fall of 1999, my parents bought our first bison the next spring, thinking it would be more of a hobby, with 20-30 bison. Twenty-three years later, I have 1100 head on Roaming K Bison ranch in Saskatchewan.

When considering bison, did their ability to regenerate the land impact your family’s decision?

That was definitely a part of it. In the early 90s, we diversified back into livestock from only grain farming, realizing how beneficial grazing animals are. There was a lot of marginal land on our farm too, that couldn’t be fully utilized with grain farming. With livestock, we can utilize the whole thing. By adding grazing animals, the revenue per acre improved but just as importantly, so did the health of the land. Grazing bison instead of cattle helped to regenerate that land even more.

By keeping bison on the land in the winter, we get some nutrients back in the soil and end up with a better cash crop the following year. Bison are a great tool for increasing our bottom line at the end of the year; as much as bison are a great addition to the land, we need to be profitable to keep them there.

Have you seen specific improvements on your land since you started raising bison?

We integrate the bison into our operation as much as we can, to get the soil healthier and less reliant on synthetics. We have real lively soil in the samples we take on a regular basis. On land that we winter and rotational graze the bison through, the samples are phenomenal; the agrologists can’t believe the amount of organic matter in the soil. Which is great because that’s what we’re striving for.

Some of the new land we’ve recently fenced has only been grain farmed and never had bison on it. We’ll soil sample this year to get a baseline, and track the data in the coming years. We’re optimistic that the bison can regenerate this land, too. We’re trying to get more diligent at sampling on a regular basis, so that we can use the bison more and fertilizers less.

Some of our customers ask us why we grass raise and grain finish. How does that work on your farm?

It takes a lot of grass to finish one bison, and we don’t have the land base to do that. We also have really cold winters here in Canada and although the bison are very hardy, it helps them get through the winter. The oats and barley we add to the mix is essentially grass that’s gone to seed, so we give that seed back to the bison, along with straw and forage. So, in that sense, they’re finishing on what they normally eat.

The market is adapting to consumer demand, and that includes the feed industry. Before we even plant a crop, we have to commit to raising it without pesticides, and we pass that commitment and accountability onto the consumer. All our grain gets tested to make sure there’s nothing in it that shouldn’t be. And our cereals don’t get sprayed for pests because there’s really nothing harming them.

People put a lot of trust in the companies they buy their product from, so it’s important to know who they are and what goes into making the product.

How long have you been supplying bison to Noble?

I’ve been raising bison for Noble since Doug (Griller) and Kelly (Long) started the company in 2016, but I’ve known Doug since I was a little kid. He and my dad got into bison about the same time. I always admired Doug and the way he grew his business. Whatever he said he would do, he did, and very successfully. When we heard he was getting into marketing bison through Noble, it was a breath of fresh air for the industry; that we finally had a marketer really going to the table and showing what we can produce as an industry.

What’s the value of the marketer in the equation?

There’s farmers and marketers – say no more. We need their help to get our product to market and the value with Noble – and Kelly – is that they know how to market very well. It’s a big job. You need a great team, you need the resources to process humanely, you need to deliver a consistently safe and quality product. And you need to keep promoting the industry as a whole.

For Canadian consumers to finally be exposed to Canadian bison meat on a national level is great. Bison is a part of the conversation now, and as producers, we need to do our part at a grassroots level to promote bison. In the grocery store, I’ll see someone holding up a grass fed beef steak, then pick up the Noble bison steak, weighing out the options. So, I say, “get the bison!” When they ask why, I tell them what I do and why bison is so great.

What is one of the most rewarding things about working in the bison industry?

One of the benefits of the industry is that we’re pretty small – more like a big family. Most everyone gets along and we can strategize, socialize, and support one another. At the end of the day, we’re all working for the same common goal – to sell bison. We need each other to do that and we need to keep telling our story, because it’s a good one.

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CHEFS CUT: Noble Premium Bison Back Ribs #elevatet CHEFS CUT: Noble Premium Bison Back Ribs #elevatetheplate

Here's another one of our favourite under-utilized bison cuts for #chefs and #hospitality. Every chef has their own take on making fall-off-the-bone ribs, but the best way to start is with our grass-raised bison. 

We've got dozens of Creative cuts for chefs on our website (under Products) that will help you elevate the plate and add value to your menu. #eatbettereatbison

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Ever had a bison waffle? Now's your chance! We pu Ever had a bison waffle? Now's your chance!

We put our two favourite things together for this savoury, slightly sweet, protein-loaded waffle! The ground bison is grilled right inside the waffle for the perfect breakfast or brunch. And it makes an easy school lunch the kids'll love! 😋

Check out the latest recipe from our other two favourites @maddieandkiki and get your bison on! Recipe and Where-to-Buy is on our website 😀

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Ready to WIN another Big Box of Bison from Noble?! Ready to WIN another Big Box of Bison from Noble?! 

We couldn't let September slip by without filling another box of goodies for our Noble fans and BBQ family! You'll get ALL our delicious nutritious #bison steaks, cubes and ground – along with some surprises! ENTER TODAY and be sure to tune in to Maddie and Kiki Live on September 29th where we'll draw our winner! Here's how to enter...

👉 Like this post
👉 Follow @noblepremiumbison and @maddieandkiki
👉 Tag 2 friends who would LOVE to win this too!

*Giveaway closes Thursday, Sept 28th and the winner will be announced LIVE on Friday, Sept 29th. Tune in to @maddieandkiki to see if it's YOU! Valid for Canadian residents ONLY. This contest is in no way affiliated with Instagram Inc. Must be 18 or older to enter.

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Working with chefs is our raison d'être – a fan Working with chefs is our raison d'être – a fancy way of saying you're really important to us!

@chefliana has inspired us since we started selling Noble Premium Bison to chefs and consumers. Liana has supported our bison products from day one, creating recipes for our customers and sharing the benefits of bison with her students and peers.

As an integral part of Calgary's 2023 @terroirsymposium Liana will help to celebrate 'transformation' in our #restaurant and #hospitality community. We'll be there too! Come meet Liana and celebrated chefs and innovators from around the world September 30 - October 2 😀

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Watch Michael Leblanc @lastrequestbbq #elevatethep Watch Michael Leblanc @lastrequestbbq #elevatetheplate with Noble Premium Bison #brisket
Start the school year off strong – with bison po Start the school year off strong – with bison power! #fuelyourbrain

The best brain foods are rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, which makes bison meat a great kick-start to your day. Nutrient-dense bison is:
• a healthy source of lean protein
• one of the best Omega-3/Omega-6 ratios of any red meat
• high in iron, B vitamins, zinc and selenium
• regenerative by nature and raised naturally on grass
• hormone and antibiotic free

The high protein content of bison can help give your brain the fuel it needs to stay focused and energized. Check out our new recipe for Savoury Maple Bison Waffles! We love 'em, and they're great for kiddos big and small 😋 #backtoschool #eatbettereatbison #noblepremiumbison #bisonrecipes #eatwellbewell
No matter what you've planned for the weekend, bis No matter what you've planned for the weekend, bison on the grill will make it even better!

To help you feed your hungry hoardes, we've loaded up our website with tasty #bisonrecipes using our lean ground bison, steaks and cubes. And we add more every month!😋 

Visit the Where-to-Buy portal on our website to find a retailer nearest you - and happy long weekend Canada!

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Healthy, delicious, and easy – who knew bison re Healthy, delicious, and easy – who knew bison recipes could be this amazing?

Come check out these nutritious meal ideas that are sure to put a smile on your face! Our website has recipes for all our bison products, so what are you waiting for? #eatbettereatbison

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Bison steak is as easy to cook as a beef steak - i Bison steak is as easy to cook as a beef steak - it just needs less time on the grill!

Bison is super lean with all the taste coming from the meat, not the fat. We prefer our steak medium-rare, and for the best taste experience, suggest you don't cook yours past medium. We have no suggestions if you like your meat well done...except maybe don't eat steak 😆

Visit our Where-to-Buy portal to find our products at retailers across Canada 🇨🇦

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New summer bison recipe on your grill! These Bis New summer bison recipe on your grill! 

These Bison Stuffed Zucchinis from our friends @maddieandkiki are almost too cute to eat! Noble Premium Bison will make any zucchini taste better 😂 plus they're really easy to prepare #easymeals 

You can find the recipe for Middle Eastern Stuffed Zucchini on our website, along with Where-to-Buy all our grass-raised #sustainable bison products #eatbettereatbison

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When you have a great cut of meat like a bison rib When you have a great cut of meat like a bison ribeye, striploin or top sirloin steak, a little S&P goes a long way #eatbettereatbison

Sure you can fancy things up with some sauteed mushrooms, miso butter and a little red wine but honestly? Get yourself some great quality salt, fresh ground pepper, and a Noble Premium Bison steak. #getgrilling 

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It's easy to make nutrient-dense bison meat a part It's easy to make nutrient-dense bison meat a part of your healthy, balanced diet – and bison tastes great 😀

Not everyone has to watch their fat and cholesterol consumption, but if you do, consider #bisonmeat.  It's not only more nutrient-dense than other proteins, bison is also very lean. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada suggests bison as a lean meat option, and we have loads of tasty #recipes to get you inspired! 

Visit Where-to-Buy on our website to find grass-raised #noblepremiumbison products at a retailer near you. #eatbettereatbison 

#canadianbison #pureprotein #healthymeat #themeat2eat #nohormones #noantibiotics #sustainableproducts #eatwellbewell #bisonrecipes #ranchraised
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