Now is an exciting time to be in the cervid industry, it has come a long way since its explosive growth in the 1990s. Few industries give as many avenues to sell your product as the cervid industry. A meat market has developed the last decade that is commanding prices similar to Bison and demand is very strong. Due to high meat prices, velvet prices have also increased steadily. Velvet prices have held in the $45 per lb range for the last three years and indications from the international markets the demand will continue. Breeding stock and harvest preserves are commanding healthy prices for good quality animals. Hard antler has become very popular in recent years with the surge in home décor and dog chews.
Saskatchewan allows a wide variety of animals to be farmed, including white tail deer, mule deer, elk, fallow deer, and reindeer. If you are interested in farming cervids, contact Sask Ag to receive an information package on raising these animals.
Norelkco is a Saskatchewan Co-op of elk producers that purchases velvet for local and international sales. They produced a great brochure on the economics of elk farming. This is an accurate peek into costs associated with the industry and Velvet prices are expected to remain strong! Now is a great time to be in the industry.
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Cervids are amazing animals and very different from conventional farming livestock. One of the greatest differences is that they need much less daily handling and physical labour from you compared to other animals. Calves and fawns are born in May June and very rarely need intervention during labour. Their metabolisms allow for more animals per acre than beef and they eat significantly less in the winter. Cervids can also live and thrive on marginal land not suited for other livestock. If you are interested in farming cervids, contact one of our members today. We are happy to answer any questions and direct you to other farms that will share their experience with you.
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Saskatchewan Cervid Alliance
PO Box 21140 Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9
saskcervidalliance@gmail.com
Saskatchewan Cervid Alliance
PO Box 21140 Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9
saskcervidalliance@gmail.com