An assistant professor at the University of Manitoba is looking at ways to extend the shelf life of bison meat.

Dr. Argenis Rodas-Gonzalez says part of the reason that bison discolourates faster than beef because it has more iron.

"If you can extend, just one day, you can save a lot of money because you are going to give the opportunity to the consumer to see the product in good shape and you don't have to mark down that product. When you start seeing the retail discount, because it starts discolourating, the industry is losing money...could be millions."

Some of the solutions Rodas-Gonzalez has been exploring over the past five years include electrical stimulation, different packaging and using plant extracts.

He notes bison has a shelf life of about three to five days, while beef can last up to nine days.