Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Animal Science

First Advisor

Philip Urso

Abstract

The continued expansion of the American Plains Bison (Bison bison) industry has increased the need for science-based nutritional recommendations tailored specifically to the species, due to limited species-specific research. Because trace minerals influence immune function, growth, and reproductive performance, establishing baseline mineral status and evaluating responses to supplementation are critical for advancing bison production and conservation efforts. This thesis integrates two complementary investigations to evaluate trace mineral status in American Plains bison at both regional and herd management levels. First, a herd level comparison evaluated the influence of differing mineral supplementation strategies on circulating mineral concentrations, herd performance, and reproductive outcomes in two South Dakota bison herds managed under contrasting systems. One herd received commercial mineral supplementation with an additional injectable trace mineral, whereas the comparison herd relied solely on native forage without supplemental mineral. Circulating mineral profiles differed between management systems, demonstrating that supplementation strategy influenced measurable aspects of mineral status. However, reproductive outcomes did not correspond exclusively with circulating mineral concentrations, suggesting that additional management and environmental variables contributed to herd performance. Across datasets, pregnancy status was associated with modest shifts in circulating trace mineral concentrations, reinforcing the importance of evaluating mineral dynamics within physiological context. Second, a multi-state census was conducted to characterize circulating blood, fecal, and forage trace mineral concentrations across geographically diverse herds in the United States. Regional variation in mineral concentrations was observed across biological and environmental samples, indicating that geographic location and associated forage systems contribute to differences in mineral status. These findings provide foundational information necessary for developing preliminary reference ranges and improving interpretation of diagnostic results in bison. Collectively, these integrated investigations demonstrate that trace mineral status in American Plains bison is influenced by both geographic region and management strategy. The results provide critical groundwork for the development of bison specific mineral reference values and practical supplementation guidelines aimed at supporting herd health, reproductive efficiency, and long-term sustainability within the growing U.S. bison industry.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright