The new Alberta Elk Centre is proof that the breed is here to stay, says Bill Buchta, executive director of the Alberta Elk Association.
“The elk industry is one of the more successful diversified species in farming operations.”
The centre is similar to the Bison Centre of Excellence, which brought industry and government together to help focus money and energy on enhancing the bison industry.
Like the bison centre, the elk centre is in Leduc.
The Alberta Elk Association will contribute two staff to the office and Alberta Agriculture will add two elk specialists. The University of Alberta will make available the 200 elk from its Ministik Research Facility east of Edmonton.
Buchta said the world has learned that working together is the best way to get ahead.
The centre will focus on industry and market development, producer information and research on the best ways to manage and raise animals.
There are 33,000 to 35,000 elk on 400 farms in Alberta, up from about 26,000 last year. It’s estimated the elk industry grows 28 percent a year.
