The Lazy J Bison Farm, established 11 years ago by John Hagberg and Linda Nicklas in Sugar Grove Township, is a hobby "that went mad."

"The farm, originally owned by father, was a dairy farm. After his death, I received part of the land and was supposed to turn it into a beef cattle farm, but I ended up discovering bison," said Hagberg. "We started off with two, named Thelma and Louise, and then it quickly grew to more than 20 and now there are around 40 on the property. The rest is history."

The benefits of bison meat, said Hagberg, are numerous.

"Bison meat is very low in fat and cholesterol as well as high in iron," said Hagberg. "I know of three customers off the top of my head that are on restricted diets and cannot have red meat, but they can eat bison because it is healthy for them."

According to a nutritional comparison chart by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 3.5 ounce cooked piece of bison meat has 2.42 grams of fat versus choice beef which has 18.54 grams. A similar size piece of pork has 9.66 grams of fat and a piece of chicken 7.41 grams.

It is also a "very hardy" meat, said Hagberg.

"For instance, a person that eats a 12-ounce strip steak from beef, would be just as satisfied with a six- or eight-ounce strip steak made from bison," said Hagberg. "Also, some people may say that female bison meat tastes different from a bull, but I really don't find a major difference."

Hagberg is also very concerned with the genetics of his bison.

"I am pretty picky when it comes to the bloodline of the animals," said Hagberg. "We make absolutely sure that none of the bison are inter-bred with one another. I am always looking for ways to improve the bloodline by getting the top bison and keeping them as healthy as possible."

According to Hagberg, bison meat is very profitable.

"A bull head is more valuable and more in demand than a beef cow," said Hagberg. "Our meat is also a little more expensive than beef, around ten to 12 percent higher, but it is worth it. Their hide is also something that people want because they can turn it into shoes, jackets, belts and wallets. Although, it is expensive for them to tan."

Hagberg said the year's financial difficulties haven't effected the business.

"We still have a really strong customer base," said Hagberg. "If they want good meat, they'll get it, regardless of the economy. Also, the demand for the meat has exceeded our ability to produce it. Bison only breed in one-year cycles unlike dairy cows, which have a cycle every 21 days. If they miss the cycle, we have to wait a whole other year before we get another baby."

Since bison are considered an exotic species by the USDA, Hagberg said there is a cost to process them into meat products.

"All other meat, such as beef, pork and poultry are still free to process through the USDA, but for bison you have to pay by the hour," said Hagberg, "which for us is around $120 extra to process one. Also, our stamp for the USDA is different. A regular stamp on the meat is a quarter-sized round stamp with USDA in the middle; ours is a triangle with the letters inside."

All of the Lazy J Farm's bison, said Hagberg, are grass fed and receive special supplement minerals.

The bison are also on a strict rotational grazing schedule on several pastures on the property.

"In bison farming, there are always challenges," said Hagberg. "Bison aren't the typical animals. They get stressed out more than cows and have a shy disposition about them. Their sense of smell is extremely high and they will know if an unfamiliar person is around. Bison live and die by this because they depend on their senses to make sure no danger comes to the herd. They also are very strong. A 1,700-pound bull can jump one of the fences from a stand-still."

Their high-stress nature has caused Hagberg to be on the look-out for dangers every day.

"This winter we had a bull break one of our holding areas," said Hagberg. "Bison can also run as fast as a good horse and longer than one. They are quite fast despite how they look. As far as I know, around here they do not have any known enemies. If a bear would venture into their territory, I know they would kill it if they felt threatened."

The Lazy J Bison Farm, located on Swede Hollow Road, is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the year.

The Lazy J is part of the Pennsylvania Bison Association, where Hagberg is the western region director and Nicklas serves as the secretary-treasurer.

Hagberg said that by mid-fall he hopes to have a new store finished which will include a kitchen.

"We just have a lot of fun and enjoy doing this," said Nicklas. "It's always interesting, never a dull moment here."