Local bison steak spotlight boosts Rolling R Ranch visibility and local food economy

Prairie Public’s Jan. 9, 2026 Shorts segment put a Rolling R Bison Ranch cut from Pelican Rapids in the regional spotlight, walking viewers through grilling a bison sirloin and making a fresh chimichurri sauce. The 5:51 segment illustrated sear techniques, timing for medium-rare, and an herb-forward sauce of parsley, cilantro, red pepper, garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil. Chef Sara Watson introduces the piece this way: "(upbeat music) - Hi, my name is Sara Watson. I'm a personal chef and today I am lucky enough to be working with this beautiful piece of bison from the Rolling R Bison Ranch. This is a bison sirloin, and we're going to just season it with some salt and pepper and let that beautiful flavor of the bison come out. We're gonna grill it and top it with a wonderful herbal chimichurri sauce..."

For Otter Tail County, the segment matters beyond a recipe. Local sourcing of protein on a regional broadcast is free marketing for a Pelican Rapids operation and can translate into increased consumer interest, direct sales, and demand from restaurants and retailers that pride themselves on local supply chains. Small ranches often rely on visibility to reach new buyers; a concise, practical demonstration that highlights flavor and cooking ease lowers the barrier for residents curious about alternative proteins.

Market implications are tangible even without hard sales numbers. Short-term effects can include spikes in inquiries and online traffic to the ranch, while medium-term effects may pressure local supply if demand outpaces production or processing capacity. That dynamic can raise local prices modestly, benefit agricultural incomes, and accelerate interest in value-added services such as farm-to-table events or local butcher partnerships. For county economic resilience, diversifying livestock beyond commodity cattle helps spread risk and can attract niche culinary tourism and retail opportunities.

Policy context matters because infrastructure limits—slaughter, processing and distribution—often constrain small-meat operations. If Rolling R Ranch sees sustained demand, community leaders and county economic development partners may want to assess support for local meat processing capacity, marketing cooperatives, or farmers market promotion to capture more of the value chain locally.

For home cooks and local buyers, the segment does double duty as instruction and invitation: it simplifies prep, lists accessible chimichurri ingredients, and normalizes bison as an everyday option. The full video and closed-caption transcript are available for residents who want step-by-step guidance.

Our two cents? Try a local bison cut next time you plan a grill night and tell your favorite restaurant about it; supporting nearby producers keeps more food dollars in Otter Tail County and helps farmers convert fleeting publicity into steady local demand.