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Van Meter Buffalo Ranch, 7095 E 1000 N, Monticello, IN (2026)

Meat and other animal products are available for purchase at the Ranch, by appointment. American Bison / Van Meter Buffalo Ranch FAQs

Bison or Buffalo? Early American settlers called bison “bufello” due to the similar appearance between the two animals, and the name "buffalo" stuck for the American variety. But it's wrong. The American bison (Bison bison) lives only in North America, while the tw

o main buffalo species reside in Africa and Asia. But as far as we're concerned, you can call it whatever you want. Just don't call it late for dinner! When/how did you get started in this business? This has been a family business starting in 1976. It all started with my Dad (Carl). He always thought it would be nice to look out his kitchen window and see Buffalo roaming like they did 300 years ago. It all began with 4 animals and grew into a business. When can I purchase meat? We process about 2 animals per month and we are open anytime there is someone home. We have meat available almost all of the time. The best thing to do is call before you plan to make the trip so we can tell you what all cuts we have available at the time. The number at the farm is 574-278-7555. If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will get back with you. Do you use drugs in your animals? We do not use any antibiotics or hormones. They are naturally a very hearty animal and do not get sick often, so using any artificial means to try and stimulate growth is just an added expense. The makes no sense in raising Buffalo. Our market is the health food market. Our animals are as natural as you can get. The only medication we use (approx. 3 time per year) is a parasitic wormer. as a grazing animal, they are susceptible to parasitic worms. The wormer we use has a 14 day cycle. This means it take 14 days to completely purge out of the animal prior to processing. No animals are processed during this period of time. Our goal is to provide the highest quality naturally raised meat available at the lowest cost. Are your animals grain fed or do they strictly graze? The only grain we use is to help sort and move animals. We do not feed grain, but the animals know what it is. We use it like you would a dog treat. We place one 5 gallon bucket of grain in multiple feed troughs to get the animals out of the pasture and into sorting pens. We put the grain out, bang the buckets together and the animals come running. One bucket of oats is worth about 20 cowboys! Remember that is only on 5 gallon bucket for between 60 and 100 animals. This is less than one bite per animal. Very little to say the least. The diet consist of free range pasture and supplemented with hay in the winter months. How old are the animals in your herd? It takes approximately three (3) years for an animal to be ready to process. Buffalo only eat 2/3 as much as a cow, but only grow 2/3 as fast. Do your animals need shelter in the cold weather? Buffalo are very well suited for the weather we have been having this winter. When the massive herds roamed this continent, there range was from the Artic circle in the north, to Mexico City in the south. They can handle weather extremes very well as long as they have adequate food and water.

06/06/2026

Before May comes to an end, we have one more birthday to share. I’m actually quite late on this birthday, but time and days got away from me.

Two years ago, a big, beautiful grey stepped off a trailer and became part of The Rock family. As we don’t know Chevy’s exact birthdate, his birthday is also his arrival date, May 21.

Since coming to The Rock, Chevy has captured hearts, which is easy to do when you are ridiculously tall (18h) and stand out above the crowd. He’s also proven to be as spirited as his name (Cheveyo) would have you believe. Because of this majestic charisma that radiates from those big hooves, he’s obtained a lot of fans. He may not be my grey, but he’s definitely in my top three of favorite greys.

I wanted to write a post that truly encapsulates the enigma that is Cheveyo ‘Smalls’, the Gentle Giant of Courage Rock, but what can you say? Looking at him says so much. He’s big and strong. He’s laid back but can also be quite ornery with play time (which he sometimes confuses with farrier day). He’s content just moseying along and grazing on his grass. Just being in his presence elopes you with awe as you feel the power a horse’s presence entails. He’s just Chevy, and I can’t possibly say anything other than that.

If you would like to show Chevy some birthday/anniversary love, you can find his wishlist below. You can also use this wishlist to show your love for whichever Rock horse is your favorite.

Wishlist

Dewormer

Salt Blocks

Nutrena Senior Feed

Alfalfa

Sweet Feed

Bedding

Psyllium (Helps with preventing sand colic)

Hoof Supplements

Peppermints

Fly Spray

Purina Apple & Oat Treats (more for Mr. Hamilton Grey, as they are a bit more on the softer side)

Gift Cards to Tractor Supply or Rural King (for any of the above items)

Sponsoring a farrier visit for one of the locals

Sponsoring a vet visit for one of the locals

Sponsoring a bale of hay

If you can donate one of the items or the cash towards one of the items, we are forever grateful. If all you can do is share our posts, we appreciate that, too. Whatever you can do, support goes a long way, and we appreciate you either way.

04/02/2026

All truths.

I was thinking about calving season upon us and how I'm already seeing post of people having or wanting bottle calves. It's a scary thought for me. 1st off, about the calfs' well being and 2nd potential harm to the person or persons.

Some may see females as being easier to get along with. They don't wreak havoc like young bulls can and do. But they do have their side. In years past, I think I have read more cows injuring people than bulls. While there aren't any stats differing the two, bulls vs cows, I think cows may be ahead.

Never get between a cow and a calf
Watch the whole herd, not just one
The most gentle cow, can have her bad days
Bottle raised calves lose their space bubble, which makes them more dangerous
Never give them a reason!

02/08/2026

🤣

10/18/2025

Got some great pictures of a rainbow behind the herd today. 🥰

10/13/2025

The herd coming up for a drink.

Address

7095 E 1000 N
Monticello, IN
47960

Telephone

+15742787555

Website

facebook.com

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Van Meter Buffalo Ranch