Hot sale: Over half a million in bison sales generated at the 2025 GTSS
The National Bison Association (NBA) hosted its 45th Gold Trophy Show and Sale (GTSS) on Jan. 25 at the National Western Stock Show Livestock Event Center in the Del Hensel Bison Pens in Denver.
Nearly 120 head of top bison breeding stock from the U.S. and Canada gathered in the Mile High City for the annual event.
Twenty-four consignors brought animals to the sale, ranging from calves to two-year-olds, which were judged by Dave Schroth of Ellsworth, Neb. and Trevor Gompf of Oak Lake, Manitoba, Canada.
Quality Auction Services, Inc., of Rapid City, S.D. called the auction, which hosted 77 registered bidders from 24 states and two Canadian provinces.
According to a Jan. 28 NBA press release, the 2025 sale saw a 6.3 percent increase from a year ago, reflecting the growing strength within the bison live animal market.
“GTSS is known for offering the top breeding genetics in the bison business, and this year was no exception,” states NBA Executive Director Jim Matheson in the press release. “As the judges can attest, this year’s bison were top-notch animals making their jobs extra difficult. These bison will go on to start and expand herds across the continent for years to come, assisting with the restoration of the species and supporting our growing market.”
Top bull sales
“We had the largest offering of bison we have seen in many years,” says GTSS Coordinator Karen Conley. “There were four new consignors and a strong showing of both U.S. and Canadian animals who bolstered numbers. GTSS showcases some of the finest breeding stock in the country, and our consignors certainly brought their best to the event.”
The 2025 GTSS event generated over half of a million dollars in sales revenue with the highest-selling animal, a grand champion yearling bull, which sold for $25,000 to Arizona Buffalo Company of Buckeye, Ariz. and Mary Adams of Evergreen, Colo.
The yearling bull was consigned by first-time consignors and Rookie of the Year Honorees Bruce, Avis, Brock and Britney Friedel of Iron River Elk and Bison of Iron River, Alberta, Canada.
Iron River Elk and Bison have been raising elk and bison for over 30 years in northern Alberta, and in the yearling bull division they secured both first place with a 1,415-pound yearling bull and second place with another 1,475-pound yearling bull which sold for $13,000.
In the two-year-old bull division, Mark Silzer and Cec Stumborg of Wolverine Bison of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada sold a 2,005-pound bull for $20,000 and a 1,935-pound bull for $17,000.
In the same two-year-old bull division, Nathan and Amanda Scott of Beldon Bison Ranch of Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada sold a 2,015-pound bull for $17,000, while Nolan and Nicole Miller of Silver Creek Bison of Binscarth, Manitoba, Canada sold a 1,960-pound bull for $14,000 and secured the reserve grand champion title.
Top heifer and
bred heifer sales
The Miller family also dominated the two-year-old bred heifer division in high sales, with a 1,545-pound bred heifer selling for $7,500 and a 1,420-pound bred heifer selling for $8,750.
The highest-selling female was a two-year-old bred heifer consigned by Joe and Bonnie Brown of 2J Bison of Terreton, Idaho which sold for $16,000 and was purchased by the Arizona Buffalo Company.
Justin and Shaelyn Dorey of Irish Creek Bison of Vermilion, Alberta, Canada sold a 986-pound yearling heifer for $4,250 to secure the reserve grand champion title, while Dixie Byrd of Trails End River Bison of Presho, S.D. secured first place and top sales for the pen of three yearling heifers division.
Honorable mention went to Alan and Victoria Oborny of Deep Creek Ranch of Choteau, Mont., who took home top sales in the bull calves division, as well as the top honors in the pen of five heifer calves division and secured the top three places in the heifer calves division.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
