Situated in the southeast corner of North Dakota, Ruby Buffalo spreads over approximately 1,000 acres of land. Dick Ruby, who grew up in Kansas raising and showing beef cattle, became an entrepreneur at a very early age. He built a successful business raising bees and at one time had over 11,000 hives and 10 full-time employees. He eventually sold the business to his son and in 1992, along with a friend, bought a couple of bison heifers. The two of them rented land to put them on. Dick had great success with his animals — but his friend didn't. Eventually he bought his partner's animals and land that is now Ruby Buffalo. His business continued to grow to raising over 1,800 animals. As he neared retirement, he downsized and now keeps approximately 275 on the ranch.
Visitors to the ranch are thrilled to be introduced to Norma, Dick's pet bison. Norma was one of a set of twins who was bottle-fed by Dick's youngest daughter. Norma is now full grown and roams with other cows on the ranch. She loves attention and gets it on a regular basis, along with occasional back scratches and treats. When asked what he likes best about raising bison, without hesitation, Dick says, "watching the animals grow up on the ranch — observing the different personalities and moods."
Note: It is never recommended you approach a bison to scratch its back, or attempt to feed one through your truck window. The relationship between Dick & Norma is very unique.