Skip to content

Producers First Program

Grazing bison can be key to healthy grassland ecosystems and provide the most nutrient-dense source of protein available for human consumption. Ranchers are known as excellent stewards of the land, soil, water, and livestock under their care.

The Producers First grant program rewards farmers and ranchers for utilizing and implementing practices that improve forage production, plant cover crops, and seed native pastures.

Program Details & Benefits

Program participants will receive a per acre incentive payment and technical assistance for enrolling their land within one or more of the following practices recognized by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Participants can enroll up to 250 acres per practice.

  1. Prescribed Grazing – $40/acre
  2. Cover Crops – $50/acre
  3. Range/Native Planting – $200/acre

In addition, ranchers can also receive a $250 per head premium for bison calves and yearlings destined for the market.

All program participants must be current NBA members (Supporter, Active, or Lifetime). Not a member? Join here!

Have questions? Contact Adam Ulbricht or Karen Conley for more information.

Enroll Today

The window for 2026 program enrollment is now open. Take the first step by submitting your initial application today.

Producers First Application
Name
Name
First Name
Last Name
How do you prefer to be contacted?

Select all that apply.

Address
Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Country

(To help match you with the best programs, please select all commodities you’ve grown in the last five years)

(To help match you with the best programs, please select the type of operation you’ve run in the last five years.)

Do you plan to enroll any bison calves/yearlings in order to receive a per head premium?

(What goals or challenges are you looking to address on your operation? Please select all that apply)

Operational Acreage

(What, if any, sustainable or regenerative practices have you utilized in the last five years? Please select all that apply.)

Cost-Share Program Experience

(Have you participated in a cost-share program before? Please select all that apply.)

Become a Member

Find the right membership for you.

I joined the NBA to primarily educate myself about bison but I quickly learned I now had a ready resource of experienced bison ranchers willing to help an novice rancher achieve my goals.

– Chris Silver, Gold Coast Bison

ALREADY A MEMBER?

Login Now

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to receive news of news, projects, resources from the National Bison Association