Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Advantages of Raising Elk
Elk raising is a viable alternative to conventional agricultural ventures today. Why would anyone not seriously consider putting acreage to use in an operation that will actually result in some black ink on their ledger, without having to go to government, and explain how some one else's support programs have made it impossible to maintain the family farm because of the cost and return ratio that won't let us make a profit.
There is no resistance from an environmental standpoint, and so no money need be spent convincing powers that be that the growth of our industry will not result in any negative impact on any of our neighbors. A non-economic benefit is the fact that because there is no need for hearings; there is no confrontation involved.
More Animals per Acre
Elk can be raised on almost any type of soil or land condition found in our province. They require considerably less area per animal (three elk can be pastured on the ground required by one beef or dairy cow) than other grass converters, and coupled with a far larger return per animal, the return per acre is significantly higher. This is graphically illustrated in the MEGA brochure.
Greater Return on Investment
The return on investment in the elk industry surpasses that of investments, both in and outside of the agricultural arena. The income from both velvet antler production and seed stock more than offset the higher cost of the fencing and handling facilities required in raising these unique animals. The graph comparing alternatives offered by brokers and bankers, also illustrated in our brochure, indicates that raising elk yields better results, especially over the longer term. Elk are intelligent animals, fascinating to observe and very easy on the environment.
Multi Income Options
There are two main potential sources of income currently available to the average elk producer at this time. They consist of marketing seed stock to other elk growers, who either are looking to improve or increase their herds, or marketing velvet antler, to the processing industry for use in the nutraceuticals field. Buyers of the latter are from both North America, and from Asia. There are also markets available for animals, semen, and embryos as others in the industry recognize Manitoba as having superior genetic components.
Two other possibilities available as the industry matures are the hunt bull market and the meat market. Once the bulls reach maturity, and are not required for breeding purposes, the hunt ranch market is an option available in other jurisdictions, where laws allows this lucrative aspect of the industry, to cater to the strong demand that exists. The market for elk venison is very strong in areas where it has been developed. Both Quebec and Ontario are currently selling all that they can produce to markets in the northeastern United States. We are still a few years from this point, because of the strength of the seed stock market, but we are, through our national association, working on developing that potentially lucrative option. Elk venison is currently selling for $4.00 per pound of dressed weight in those developed markets.
Sustainable Production
A catch phrase that one hears often these days is "sustainable production". Apparently it means producing indefinitely without depleting the resource. That's like maintaining the goose that laid the golden egg. We are fortunate in our industry. We already have that. We harvest the velvet from our bulls, and next year they grow another crop and the cycle starts over again.
Value Added Option
Many producers have developed another source of income from their industry. There are processors in Canada who produce the capsules from the velvet antler, and the claims of the health benefits to those who use them have resulted in a lucrative market for the product. These capsules are being sold in ever increasing numbers in health food stores, and by individuals who are able to promote the product on the basis of its benefits. The MEGA brochure lists some of the situations, which the capsules are used for.
Minimal Management
One of the greatest advantages we find in raising these animals is the economy of feed requirement involved. Elk are excellent converters of food, and can efficiently use roughage throughout the year. Their metabolism adjusts with the seasons, so their low consumption of winter feed, coupled with the ability to utilize snow for water requirements, result in a low cost, minimal management operation.
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