Last year, the 225 buffalos put up for auction at Custer State Park brought in 319 thousand dollars. This year, the 256 buffalos sold brought in 405 thousand dollars.

Several factors probably could account for the positive difference. For one thing they sold 30 more animals than last year. The other big factor was the better weather.

Chad Kremer says, "50 degrees is certainly better than twenty degrees."

Herd Manager Chad Kremer and the other management officials at Custer State Park decided to sell more buffalos this year because of the on-going drought that is degrading the grazing rangers at the Park just as it is across the rest of the Great Plains.

Officials at Custer State Park are very careful about range management in the park, and say they would prefer to err on the side of ranger protection rather than overgrazing. The Custer State Park buffalo auction is one way the Park manages the buffalo herd.

Custer State Park has also served as a reliable starting point for private buffalo herds all over the country. The Park has a reputation for taking great pains to prevent disease and maintain the herd in good health.

-Al Van Zee