Kelly Taylor and his three sons have their 2.5 metre-high, woven-wire fences up in anticipation of a provincial government bill expected to become law this week.
The farmers from Oak Lake, Man., have been waiting for a decade to raise elk for their antlers and meat. And Taylor said they’re happy it’s finally about to become legal.
Manitoba first looked at legalizing elk production in the early 1980s. Taylor said more than 100 people joined the Manitoba Elk Growers Association in hopes of getting in on the action.
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He said experiments with captured elk were successful, but the idea was too controversial for the government of the day.
Tired of waiting
The association shrunk to six Manitoba farmers, including Taylor, who were allowed to raise the experimental elk for viewing or game farm purposes only.
Since then, Alberta and Saskatchewan farmers have grown their industries.
“Our association has just been sitting, waiting here,” said Taylor.
Now, 40 people belong to the group, and Taylor knows of more than 200 others who are interested in elk ranching.
But Taylor agrees with Manitoba Agriculture’s non-traditional livestock expert that less than 100 operations are likely to start in the first couple of years.
Emerson Trout said costs will turn some farmers away.
According to department figures, it costs about $210,000 to set up a ranch and buy a breeding herd of 10 cows and a bull and about the same for a velveting operation with 30 bulls.
Under the regulations, farmers will have to apply for a licence for elk, Trout said. The department will inspect farms to make sure they have the proper fencing and handling equipment.
Restrictions apply
Farmers will only be allowed to buy elk from licensed game farms in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Yukon.
Trout said the government will eventually sell the wild elk captured last winter to farmers. Another capture is planned for this winter.
Manitoba producers will also be required to test animals for purity and establish a DNA profile. Producers west of Manitoba don’t have to do this.
“It’ll be a good way to track animals, to verify parentage, to make sure that all elk and elk products are from a licensed source,” Trout explained.
Taylor said he thinks the testing is a good idea, although the two tests will cost farmers about $60 per animal.
