Minnesota Tops Nation In Elk Farming

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota is tops in the nation when it comes to elk farming, but the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association says there's room for growth.

The USDA Census of Agriculture shows that Minnesota leads the U.S. in farmed elk production and is home to 141 elk farms raising more than 4,200 elk.

Now the association has unveiled a new web site sponsored in part by the state's Minnesota Grown program. It was created to highlight the shortage of elk products and the need for more elk producers.

The group's president, Mark Lucas, says the elk industry is enjoying unprecedented demand for elk meat, velvet antler for the health supplement market and hard antler for the dog chew market. He says demand for trophy bulls and breeding stock has risen considerably as well.