The Rural Voice, 2002-07, Page 43Ag News
Information on the current state of
the elk industry will be available.
Continued from Pg. 38
also a prime opportunity for
interested members of the farming
community and general public to
learn more about a growing industry.
There are currently over 1,200 elk
farms and 80,000 elk in Canada. The
estimated value of these livestock
plus the dedicated facilities and
fencing on the these farms is
currently over $500 million dollars.
Gross receipts for the Canadian elk
farming and velvet antler industry in
1999 were estimated at $80 million
dollars, placing the industry
alongside some of the most
significant components of Canada's
agricultural industries.
In recent years, the elk industry
has experienced significant
fluctuations in both breeding stock
and velvet antler prices, from as low
as $20 per pound and as high as $120
per pound for velvet. The industry is
now rebounding. Because of its
variety of revenue sources (velvet
antler, meat, breeding stock and
trophy hunting), elk farming has the
capacity to be an increasingly
important player in Canada's
agricultural community.
Elk velvet is probably the number
one market. Each spring, males grow
new antlers. Antler is the fastest
growing animal tissue and can grow
at rates of an inch or more per day.
This new growth, which is soft and
highly vascular, grows and develops
Continued on Pg. 40
Barrie Metals Ltd.
Steel Depot
Full Product Range
Cut to 'size service
Shearing / flame cutting
Express delivery available
• NEW
• RANDOMS
• SECONDS
• USED
Call us today for your competitive quotation
220 John Street Owen Sound Tel: (705) 728-1643
Barrie, Ontario Tel:.(519) 371-0803 Fax: (705) 725-8212
LAN 2L3 Fax: 519 371-5795 Wan: (888) 340-7272
clirritage
BUILDERS
LTD.
We build all types and all sizes of Agricultural,
Commercial & Residential Buildings to suit your needs.
c..Virritagr
BUILDERS LTD.
If you are thinking about building -- CALL US
C B•
Harriston, Ontario 519-338-2111
JULY 2002 39