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The chart below shows the growth of Tallgrass Prairie Preserve bison herd since 1994, including the number kept on the preserve over the winter as well as the number of calves born the following spring. The number of calves is determined at the fall roundup, when each animal is examined, weighed, and innoculated. The
fall roundup, which takes about a week, is the only time the bison are herded and confined on the prairie. The roundup permits the Conservancy to perform various scientific studies and ensure the health of the herd.
1,976 head were over-wintered after the fall 2004 roundup and about 425 new calves are expected in the spring of 2005.
In the summer of 2007 the herd after calving will reach about 2,600 head which is the optimal herd size to maintain on the 23,000 acre bison pasture.
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