Most-asked questions about the jerky line, our sourcing chain, herd health testing, breeding stock inquiries, and how things actually work at S&S Acres.
Yes. Six SKUs, live on our Shopify storefront. Packaging through Belmark; co-packed USDA-inspected at Whiskey Hill Smokehouse in Hubbard, Oregon. The Full Herd Sampler — all six flavors in one box for $49.99 — is the easiest way to try the whole line at once.
Six SKUs — 4 jerky/strip flavors plus 2 meat-stick variants: Bison Jerky Original, Bison Jerky Honey Jalapeño, Bison Strips Teriyaki, Bison Strips Whiskey BBQ, Meat Sticks Original, Meat Sticks Habanero.
It’s one concrete thing: the Full Herd Sampler — all six flavors in one box, $49.99. Easiest way to find your flavor before you commit to a favorite.
The four-mascot exotic meat snack portfolio is the long-term plan: bison (Tonka MD), elk (Hurricane MD), Highland beef (Zeus MD), and yak (Russell MD). The Tonka bison line is first to market, with elk next. Highland beef and yak follow as we set them up properly — no specific order or dates promised.
Our animals are raised on our own pasture in Lima, Ohio. When bison comes off our own pasture, it's always processed at 3D Meats in Dalton, Ohio. From there the meat ships to Whiskey Hill Smokehouse in Hubbard, Oregon for jerky production. All USDA-inspected. Packaging runs through Belmark.
Most of it, yes. When demand outpaces our own herd, we partner with Dakota Pure Bison in South Dakota — pasture-raised under the same principles. Both operations are pasture-raised, never feedlot.
Dakota Pure isn't a random supplier. Mars — our very first breeding bull — came from elsewhere; the bison program started with him. Frank, our second founding bull, came from Dakota Pure, and that relationship has carried forward ever since.
Pasture-raised, never feedlot-finished, with a supplemental ration. That distinction matters to us, and to the people who care how their meat is raised.
No growth hormones. Antibiotics are not routinely used — only when individually medically necessary, and those animals are not entered into the food chain.
Yes — CWD-clean since inception. Most recently tested February 2026. CWD testing applies to the cervid program (elk and red deer). Brucellosis and tuberculosis testing covers the entire ranch — every program, not just the bison — negative across the board, also most recently tested February 2026.
Every named breeding animal carries an engraved ear tag with the animal's name, the S&S Acres logo, and our brand. In addition to the engraved tag, every animal also carries a personal tag number for in-herd tracking and a federal identification number for regulatory and interstate movement records. Named animals are photographed from birth and tracked through their seasons. Antler measurements are logged year over year for bulls.
Because that's the truth. Modern genetic testing strongly suggests the white coat phenotype in North American bison originates from SILV (PMEL17) cattle-gene dilution, present at trace levels across nearly every bison herd on the continent. We don't make "pure white" or "100% bison" claims because they wouldn't survive modern testing. What we do claim: a documented, rare blonde/cream/white phenotype in a closed, disease-tested, photo-tracked herd. Read the Snowflake program →
Because every breeding stock inquiry is a real conversation — what you're trying to accomplish, your timeline, your operation, your state and shipping situation all matter. We'd rather take 30 minutes to give you a real answer than post a sticker price that doesn't apply to your situation.
Bison (including the rare-phenotype white sub-program with Snowflake), elk and red deer (Hurricane LL bull + Inferno LM-genotype semen via State Line Cryogenics), Highland (anchored by Zeus, our white Highland bull, with Ferdinand also in the breeding line), Watusi (anchored by Homer), and yak (anchored by Russell, including the white yak sub-program with Pearl and Kali). Send an inquiry →
Not yet. Elk and red deer breeding stock sales are currently Ohio-only. We'll open to national buyers as the cervid program matures. Bison, Highland, Watusi, and yak are available to qualified buyers in all states.
Typically within 48 hours. Jason runs a full surgical schedule alongside the ranch, so if you don't hear back quickly, send a follow-up — we won't be offended.
Yes — shelf-stable, available now on our Shopify storefront. Full Herd Sampler ($49.99, all six flavors) if you want to try everything at once. Shop the line →
Our shop carries the shelf-stable Tonka Bison Jerky line, apparel, hats, drinkware, and byproducts (skulls, hides, mounts, elk antler dog chews) — all shipped nationwide.
Raw frozen cuts are not part of the regular shop — and we do not ship them. They're local pickup only at the ranch, by appointment, on an as-available basis. If you're interested, reach out directly — it's a contact-us conversation, not a shop tile.
Visit the shop for what's currently available.
Orders ship Mondays and Wednesdays from the ranch. Place your order by Sunday night and it’s on Monday’s truck; order by Tuesday night and it ships Wednesday. We’re a working ranch and a working family — barring the occasional holiday, that’s the rhythm.
Shipping is $6.99 flat, FREE on orders of $45 or more, via USPS to all 50 states. Most packages arrive within 2–5 business days of the ship date, and you’ll get tracking by email the moment your label prints.
Through the Shopify storefront: all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, Diners), Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and PayPal. For breeding stock, we'll work out payment terms directly during the inquiry.
We're not an agritourism operation. No drop-in tours, no public events. That said, breeding stock buyers and serious customers are welcome by appointment — reach out by email first.
Dr. Jason Bowersock — board-certified general surgeon at Saint Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio — and his family. Five generations of Ohio farming. The name S&S Acres stands for "Stitches and Staples" (the two things general surgeons do every day). Read the full story →
The KuneKune pigs and donkeys (Jet and Jersey) are not part of the breeding stock catalog or jerky lineup. They're part of the family of animals that make S&S Acres feel like a working farm. If you have a serious interest in a specific animal, ask — but no formal program.
If your question isn't covered here, email Jason directly. Real answers, no canned replies.