The research and data coming out of BetterFedFoods (BFF) offers a promising regenerative alternative to chemical, pharmaceutical, and the global One Health/one-size-fits-all models. With the potential to not only heal depleted soils, increase yields and fertility rates in cattle, BFF also offers an opportunity to heal strained tribal relations in the State of South Dakota.
Science-informed data collected from Kansas State University shows that cattle fed on the BetterFedFoods, (BFF) program have lower emissions due to fewer days on feed and better feed efficiency. Cattle also exhibited robust natural immunity and lower death rates during adverse heat stress. On-farm studies, conducted in 2024, also showed BFF’s algae-based soil treatment resulted in higher nutrient levels in forages tested, as well as a lowered requirement of added agronomy inputs—making better feed for less costs.
The beef produced from the Kansas State study, as well as numerous BFF studies, showed increased levels of Omega 3 content, as well as an improvement in the Omega 6:3 ratio in the meat from cattle on BFF’s algae-based feed.
These impressive preliminary results indicate that BFF could open European Union markets to Tribal Communities and American producers alike, giving them a competitive edge in net-zero economies.
Moreover, the BetterFedFoods program is helping to increase fertility rates in cattle while also reducing producer reliance on pharmaceutical interventions.
Bryan Mussard, of Reminisce Angus, has been featured by the Kennedy Team for leadership in regenerative ranching. Mussard, who began using BFF’s “Great O” product in 2022 has seen significant and measurable differences in his registered cows, bulls and cattle in their 7,000 head development feedyard using the BetterFed feeding program.
“We have had a pretty good heifer development and AI conception rate for 30 years,” Mussard said. “When we started feeding the Great O product, however, we saw an increase in AI and overall conception rates in 6 herds that we have been working with for over twenty years.”
The Reminisce Ranch hosts an annual bull sale in early March. Known for top quality genetics and high rates of fertility, Mussard says they’ve also seen a fifteen point jump since adding Great O to their bulls’ diets.
“When tested prior to our annual bull sale, our bulls have always tested high for fertility rates, but with the Great O added to their diet we’ve seen average scores jump by fifteen points with fewer retests required.”
Mussard says that they’ve also seen an increase in conception rates. “We breed our cows in September and October, which is a challenge in Montana as we don’t have regrowth alfalfa hay meadows,” Mussard said. “But with a consistent algae-based soil management program, our growth rates have returned to the normal levels we had when we were breeding cows in May and June, we’re seeing lower sickness rates in fresh weaned calves, fewer relapses in the ones we treat, and a significant increase in overall conception rates in our registered cow herd.”
BetterFedFoods is now working with the tribes, private shareholders and public entities to open a new research facility in the State of South Dakota.
BetterFedFoods hopes to open the new facility in Pollock, SD by this April. Working with the Cheyenne tribe, BFF will begin testing Buffalo and Beef on the BFF program. The partnership is expected to result in increased revenues for the tribe as producers are able to move into new markets.
In addition, the new Pollock, SD facility will service the Mobridge, SD area, keeping between 15-20 full-time employees on through the transition from dairy to research site.
Bernie Hansen, Chairman of BetterFedFoods says that the relationships being cultivated through the Pollock facility could really help to heal strained relationships between the tribes and the State of South Dakota, under the new leadership of Governor Larry Rhoden.
“We’re working with Tribal communities and in doing so, we believe our work provides an important opportunity to not only heal the land, but also heal the rift between government-to-government relationships,” Hansen said. “BetterFedFoods is working with Dairy Farmers of America to repurpose the Pollock, SD cheese plant into a production and research facility for our algae-based land and feed products. This is an exciting opportunity for all involved to help local ranchers expand into new markets, and heal both the land and the animals that sustain life.”
With the new South Dakota facility, BetterFedFoods is blazing a new path to better genetics, healthier cattle, and best stewardship practices that could help bring the MAHA vision to life.
“We’re on a mission, and we invite those in the public and private sector who are mission-aligned to join us in this healing journey,” Hansen concluded.
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