1901 Bison Company is owned and operated by Lance and Lacey Jowers. Located in Borden County near the small community of Fluvanna, the Jowers strive to not only provide the best quality meat for their customers, but to also provide a lifestyle for their two sons, Lyle 8, and Lash 7, that teaches a western way of life. A life of responsibility, work ethic, and caring for the land and animals that God has provided.
The Jowers have a deep history of ranching in their families. Lacey is a 5th generation cattle rancher and their company, 1901 Bison, gets its name from Lacey’s great-grandfather, Frank Miller, who was born in Borden County in 1901. His family came to Borden County from Arkansas in a covered wagon for new beginnings and to start a cattle ranch. Franks wife, Edna, was part of the Borden Historical Society and started the Borden County Museum.
Lance was born and raised in Central Florida. His great-grandfather, Clifford Fertic, was one of the first ranchers in Osceola County. Lance’s family was in the ranching, citrus and real estate business. After high school Lance made the move to Big Spring, TX on a rodeo scholarship. Lance and Lacey quickly met while Lacey was a senior in high school at a Jody Nix concert at The Stampede in Big Spring. Lacey and Lance were both accepted into Tarleton State University where Lacey studied Agricultural Services and Development with a certification in teaching, and Lance rodeoed and pursued an Agronomy Range degree. After graduating with their degrees, they returned to Borden County and continued with their family’s ranching legacy.
In 2011 they made the decision to introduce Bison into their operation. One of the reasons was the quality of meat that Bison provides and offers a healthier alternative for consumers. Everything they have done since introducing Bison has been done with intention. The Jowers are great stewards of the land and their animals. They strive to provide the best quality product for their customers. That ranges from what the Bison are fed, the facilities they are raised in, and where they are processed. All processing is done locally at All Hale Meats in nearby Wolfforth.
There are numerous steps that go into getting that Bison meat onto your plate. It begins with the animal as a yearling, and then harvesting before they reach 36 months of age. This is the ideal age for harvest. Bison are slow growers, and it takes them longer in converting feed. They are extremely inefficient in terms of production agriculture. For example, a beef calf gains 4 ½ pounds in a feed yard, where a Bison gains 1 ½ pounds. Your cost to gain is around three times that of a beef calf, but you do not have to put Bison on a finish type ration, its more a grower, high-energy ration with a lot of fat. While Bison may be slower growers than beef calves, they are extremely efficient at taking these inputs and digesting and synthesizing them to give the consumer a higher quality product.
The Jowers hope to provide a better education with regards to production agriculture. Some consumers may have concerns about what products are fed and injected into the animals. Things like GMO’s, antibiotics, hormones, and the misconception that MRNA exists in vaccinations. There are no MRNA registered vaccinations administered to cattle or Bison. It is their commitment to show the consumer what goes into their animals and what does not. For example, if a Bison does in fact become ill, develops pink eye or a treatable illness, the Jowers treat that animal the same way they would treat themselves. Their Bison only receive antibiotics when they absolutely need them.
As more information becomes available on what goes into each animal, we are beginning to see a shift in the beef industry. Third party companies like IMI Global, etc., exist to certify all-natural, age-source verified, and non-hormone treated beef. As this progresses, we are seeing a premium offered for these animals going into feed yards. The packing plants are giving a premium for the all-natural beef. The market is starting to shift to a healthier, all-natural lifestyle. Consumers want to know where their meat is coming from and what has gone into the animal. This is great not only for the industry, but also great in supporting the smaller ranchers operating like the Jowers. Ranchers that can provide the consumer with all the information about their products for a healthier alternative.
Bison as a species has quadrupled in the last decade. In Texas, Bison are not as common as they are in the northern states. There are 3 main drives of the Bison industry. Hunting, cutting horse industry, and meat production. Cutting horse trainers will use Bison calves to train their horses. Bison calves are extremely hearty. They don’t develop illness as often and you can work them twice as long as a beef calf without the risk of pneumonia or other respiratory diseases you commonly associate with a beef calf. This is a major driver of the Bison industry in Texas. In meat production, there are research studies that show Bison meat can help people with auto-immune diseases and assist in lowering triglycerides. All the Bison meat you can currently purchase in the major chain stores are shipped in from northern states like Wyoming and Montana. They come from larger operations that have distribution contracts with companies like Ben E. Keith and Cisco. 1901 Bison is driven to provide their customers with a homegrown product where each buyer has an opportunity to establish a relationship with the owners. Anyone can visit their ranch and see how they operate. They want each buyer to feel at home and know they are receiving the highest quality meat.
To the Jowers, food is medicine. They strive to provide a leaner, higher quality, higher protein alternative for the consumer. They offer Bison jerky, summer sausage, and frozen raw cuts. You can purchase from them direct, and you can also find them in various locations across the area. The Coyote Store in Gail offers their products both frozen and made to order. Chef Antonio Pena at Clarboya Scratch Kitchen and Bar inside the Doubletree Hilton in Lubbock is currently serving 1901 Bison ribeye’s and routinely sells out each week. Customers can also buy frozen at Hub City Organics in Lubbock.
If you would like to contact them directly you can find them on Facebook at 1901 Bison, visit www.1901BisonTx.com or email at 1901Bison.tx@gmail.com The Jowers are a wonderful, Godly family and care for each and every one of their customers. I highly encourage each of you to get to know them and try their products. Once you do, I guarantee their Bison will become a staple in your diet.
