ELK FARMING 101 Nicole Bledsoe, Kelsey Davis, Suzanne Ford, Laura Gibson, & Kayla Henness
HISTORY
- Elk are native to central and western regions of North America.
- Transition from the wild to domestication is relatively new.
- 1970's-Herds managed in zoo-like fashion (enclosed and bred)
- 1980's-Tuberculosis outbreak, heavy opposition to industry NAEBA and CVC formed in response
- Created a Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Farmed Deer-began with mass culling, eradicated Tuberculosis
- Today-Industry has bounced back and is widely accepted
- Vast expansion-farms located worldwide
- Quality breeding provides increasing prices, genetics, and product quality
ELK PRODUCTS
Many types of products on the market that are harvested from elk, some of which require the animal to be slaughtered, and others which are harvested while the animal is still on hoof. Examples of products include:
- Meat
- Antler - Velvet
- Antler - Hard
- Leather
HERD MANAGEMENT
Elk are bred and raised across the U.S. in captivity which has resulted in the need for herd management practices of these populations. Veterinary medicine closely intertwines with the elk industry as elk are susceptible to many of the same diseases as cattle. Elk used for meat supply are closely regulated and past outbreaks of tuberculosis have caused a huge number of elk populations to be culled. The result was the formation of the North American Elk Breeders Association which has helped create more effective herd management practice standards.
Chronic Wasting Disease
Prion Disease - Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy
Brucellosis
Brucella abortus
Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Johne's Disease
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
Breeding, Enclosures, & Feed
Nutrition
- Elk nutrition usually consists of trees, pasture, and brush. Rotational grazing systems are common to utilize pasture space to its fullest.
- In winter months, additional feeds such as hay, grain, silage, haylage, vitamins, and minerals are provided to maintain proper body weight.
- In hot weather, elk need supplemental feeding when pasture growth is slow.
- Breeding animals have special dietary requirements. Bulls and lactating cows need high-quality feed to maximize calf growth rates and maintain prime breeding condition.
- Elk raised for venison require grain supplementation prior to slaughter to increase weight gain and body condition.
- All elk regardless of age or purpose need mineral-fortified salt blocks and fresh water year-round.
The Business Side of Elk Farming
- Economics to Elk Farming
- How to Make Money
- Business Options
- Start-Up Outline
- Advantages to Elk Farming
Economics
- 1,200 farms in US
- 70,000 elk in US
- Most elk sold in US are for breeding stock
- Can market to consumer or distributor
Making money
- Internal rate of return averages ~24% per animal
- Average elk = 600 lbs; will produce ~350 lbs of meat; = ~$900 profit per animal
- Can market products or custom hunts
Start-Up of a Cow/Calf Herd
- Land: 25 acres
- Total labor: 550 hours per year
- Capital: livestock (25 breeding heifers, main breeding bull, secondary breeding bull), buildings, equipment, fencing
Start-up of An antler Production Farm
- Land: 25 acres
- Total labor: 550 hours per year
- Capital: livestock (50 bull calves), buildings, equipment, fencing
Advantages to elk farming
- High fertility rate
- Long reproductive life
- Calve/wean easily
- Calm disposition
- Tolerate cold winters and hot summers
- Yield high-quality products
REFERENCES
- Belay ED, Maddox RA, Williams ES, Miller MW, Gambettis P, and Schonberger LB. “Chronic Wasting Disease and Potential Transmission to Humans.” Perspective (2004), 10.6. Web. <http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/10/6/03-1082_article#suggestedcitation>.
- Collins M and Manning E. “MAP Infection of Ruminants (Cattle, Sheep, Deer, Goats, etc.) Causes Severe Weight Loss, Persistent Diarrhea in Some Species, and Death.” Johne’s Information Center, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine: Pathology (2010). Web. <http://www.johnes.org/elk/pathology.html>.
- “Disease Precautions for Hunters.” AVMA. 2016. Web. <https://www.avma.org/public/Health/Pages/Disease-Precautions-for-Hunters.aspx>.
- Dagleish MP, Martin S, Steele P, Finlayson J, Siso S, Hamilton S, Chianini F, Reid H, Gonzalez L, and Jeffrey M. “Experimental Transmission of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy to European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus).” BMC Veterinary Research (2008), 4:17. Web. <http://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-6148-4-17>.
- “Disease Images: Brucella abortus.” The Center for Food Security & Public Health. 2016. Web. <http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/clinical-signs-photos.php?name=brucella-abortus>.
- “Endocardial Hemorrhage and Mineralization, Page 2.” University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Web. <http://vet.uga.edu/ivcvm/courses/vpat5215/cardiovascular/03_endocardium/endocard02c.htm>.
- Forde T, Pruvot M, De Buck J, and Orsel K. “A High-Morbidity Outbreak of Johne’s Disease in Game-Ranched Elk.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal (2015), 56.5: 479-483. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4399733/>
- Forrest, R., Grande Premium Meats: Elk Profits, 1998. https://www.elkusa.com/Elk%20Profits.htm.
- Kime, L.F., Penn State Alternatives: Ag Alternatives: Elk Production, 2016. http://extension.psu.edu/business/ag-alternatives/livestock/exotic-livestock/elk-production.
- North American Elk Breeders Association, 2012, https://www.naelk.org/.
- Peterson, D., A Wild Elk Farm: Raising Elk for Profit, 1986. http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/elk-farm-zmaz86mazgoe.aspx?PageId=4.
- Rhyan JC, Nol P, Quance C, Gertonson A, Belfrage J, Harris L, et al. “Transmission of Brucellosis from Elk to Cattle and Bison, Greater Yellowstone Area, USA, 2002-2012.” Emerging Infectious Diseases (2013), 19.12. Web. <http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/12/13-0167_article>.
- Thorleifson, I., History of Elk Farming in North America, 2015. http://deerfarmer.org/index.php/component/content/article?id=155:history-of-elk-farming-in-north-america.
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