Bison Pasture "Roam"

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Bison Pasture Roam
Pasture Walk at Dauphin County Bison Farm

(Carlisle, PA) – Finding a balance between farming and maintaining a full-time off-farm profession is an issue faced by many, especially when including the needs of livestock. One Dauphin county farmer, Duane Stroup, is managing this by implementing a rotational grazing system for bison. Bison are more self-sufficient and need considerably less direct attention than beef or dairy herds when provided with appropriate pasture and infrastructure, like fencing and watering systems. These improved infrastructure and grazing management techniques will be featured during a pasture walk hosted by Capital RC&D at Lykens Valley Bison in Millersburg, PA on June 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 

Duane and Kimberly Stroup, along with their son Alexander, started Lykens Valley Bison in 2021 with a single paddock and have since expanded to approximately 50 acres of pasture. To help facilitate grazing their herd of 14 bison, they installed six-foot-tall, eight-strand, high tensile electrified fencing and a watering system that includes energy free waterers and frost-free hydrants that ensure year-round water access. 

The pasture walk will also highlight how the Stroups use a food truck to market their farm products including bison burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and bison chili. The food truck will be on site to provide lunch following the pasture walk. 

There is no charge for the pasture walk and lunch is available for $10. Registration is requested by June 7, 2023 and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361. 

This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D through partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center and with funding through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed grant. 

For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].