Fellow Kansan,

Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Big First District. Each month, I highlight the life and work of Kansas ag heroes – the people who make our state the pilot light of America and who inspire me to continue fighting for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. 

Yours in service,

Kansas Ag Hero of the Month:

Dick Gehring

This Month’s Ag Hero is Dick Gehring from Harvey County, who operates Black Kettle Buffalo near Moundridge, raising the Kansas state animal – the American buffalo.  

Earlier this month, we celebrated National Bison Day, which honors the historical, cultural, and ecological legacy of the American bison. Dick has been working with bison (American buffalo) since 1980, caring for the animals to produce nutrient-dense meat. Bison are native to the Great Plains, and they graze year-round, which keeps the prairie grasses and soil healthy while blocking invasive species from taking over. Dick believes in the natural sustainability of raising bison as part of the diverse ecosystem of the Great Plains. Few producers, however, have experience with these animals.  

“The key to working these animals is not to get them mad,” said Dick. “Old bulls can be pretty cantankerous and set in their ways. If you load one the way he wants to be loaded, it can take you 10 or 15 minutes. If you insist on doing it in a different way, it can take you 10 or 15 hours. You have to learn the subtleties of the animal.”  

Dick exemplifies the attention to detail, honesty, hard work, and respect for tradition that are the hallmarks of American farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. As a longstanding fixture in the relatively small community of bison producers, Dick is a leader in the field. He previously served as the president of the National Bison Association (NBA), is the current Chair of the NBA Commercial Marketers Committee, and he was recently honored as the NBA’s 2022 Member of the Year. His fellow members of the NBA have applauded him for his grit, determination, strong work ethic, commitment to mentorship, and willingness to help other producers succeed.  

Thanks to bison producers like Dick, the Kansas state animal will be thriving on the Great Plains for many years to come.