Study Information

United States Department of Agriculture

NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM (NAHMS)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Veterinary Services

NAHMS BISON 2022 STUDY
Participate in this national study to help improve
knowledge about bison health and management.
You may receive free biological testing for
parasites (pre- and post-deworming),
enteric microbes, and pasture forage quality.

DID YOU KNOW?
NAHMS last conducted a national bison survey in
2014. This will be NAHMS’ second national study of
the U.S. bison industry, and another study likely
will not occur for at least eight years.

WHAT IS NAHMS?
The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) is part
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services. NAHMS
conducts national studies on the health and health management
of U.S. domestic livestock populations.
To access reports from previous NAHMS studies or information
on upcoming studies, visit the NAHMS website at:
www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms

United States Department of Agriculture

HOW WILL IT WORK?
In July 2022, all bison producers identified by the
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) agricultural
census will receive a Bison 2022 Study packet in the mail
from NASS. The questionnaire should take about 40
minutes to finish and can be completed one of three
ways (self-administered paper survey, self-administered
electronic survey, and NASS-administered telephone
survey). If you complete the survey and choose to
participate in the planned free biological sampling
portion of the study, we will—once we receive your
consent—send test kits and detailed instructions on how
to submit self-collected samples. All samples need to be
returned by November 2022.

WHO PARTICIPATES?
All bison producers identified on the NASS list frame will be
asked to participate. Participants are selected; producers not
on the NASS list frame cannot volunteer to participate. Visit

INFORMATION FROM THE
STUDY WILL BE USED TO:
•

Describe current bison

health management practices
and producer-reported
occurrence of common bison

https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/static/get-counted.html
to make sure your operation is included.

WHAT IS A PARTICIPANT'S RESPONSIBILITY?
If you choose to participate, you are responsible for
completing the questionnaire in a timely manner. If you
decide to participate in the planned free biological
sampling, you are asked to collect samples according to

diseases, as well as changes

the provided instructions and return them in the timeframe

since 2014;

requested.

•

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Learn more about bison

parasites and treatment,

Your participation in the NAHMS Bison 2022 Study will

enteric microbes found in

provide the bison industry and other producers with new

bison, and nutritional quality of

and valuable information regarding bison health and

forage in bison pasture, via

management.

biologic testing conducted as
part of the survey;

For further details, contact:
USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services,

•

Better characterize shipment

and other movements of bison,

Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health
Attention: NAHMS

which could help to mitigate

NRRC Building B, Mailstop 2E7

disease outbreaks faster; and

2150 Centre Avenue

•

Help guide future education

and research efforts.

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

Phone: 866-907-8190
E-mail: NAHMS@usda.gov