Christian and Sonja Spahn
Photo courtesy Tom and Inge Bobek |
It was during a vacation to northern New Mexico, when the Spahn
family, from Germany, decided to purchase some acreage on the old Brannan Ranch
near Trinchera in the Raton area. Christian and Sonja got their Canadian log home
finished in 1998 and started a new life on their bison ranch, despite difficulties
as alien greenhorns in this new wild country. Friends of the Spahns, Tom and Inge
Bobek, from Bavaria, sold their house, horses, everything to move here and manage
the ranch. |
It wasn't easy, but they learned to install water systems, build fences,
and other facilities that bison require, before the first 20 buffs arrived. Nowadays
the ranch has two single-sired herds of 72 animals total on 1,130 acres. These bison
are handled as little as possible, feeding off natural grasses, but vaccinated as
statutory, and not subject to questionable drugs, chemicals or hormones. People
with heart and allergic diseases benefit from this pure, natural product. Bison
meat is heart-healthy and prescribed to patients with these kinds of diseases. It's
an excellent diet for athletes (high in protein), women (lots of iron), kids and
seniors (essential fatty acids, low fat).
The American Bison has been raised on
ranches for more than 100 years. Today there are about 2,000 private persons raising
about 300,000 buffalo. An adult female will weigh about 1100 lbs. and a mature bull
around 2000 lbs., but they can run up to 30 m.p.h. and jump up to 6 feet high. They
are not domesticated and should always be treated with respect and caution. Buffalo
have an average life-span of 20-25 years. At the age of three, cows can have their
first calf.
Bison meat tastes great! Most people interviewed feel Bison is the most
flavorful meat they ever tasted, with a sweet and rich flavor. It's naturally juicy
and tender and can be interchanged with beef in almost any recipe if a few simple
instructions are followed. A lower temperature should be used because bison is very
lean and will cook more quickly. It has nutritional advantages over other meats,
essentially more protein and nutrients with fewer calories and less fat. Bison is
a dense meat that tends to satisfy the appetite and has a lower shrinking percentage
so you get more meat on the plate. For any questions you’re welcome to call (505)
278-2316.
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• bison ranch