Cervids
Cervids are any members of the cervidae family. This can include whitetail deer, elk, reindeer or caribou, fallow, red deer, sika, axis, and many others. Almost all cervids have antlers that grow from specialize boney structures on their skull.
The cervid farming industry is one of the fastest growing industries in rural America, and has a direct economic impact of $893.5 million. The industry supports 29,199 jobs, most of which are in rural America.
Deer- Deer are raised for breeding, venison production, deer watching, private hunting and other specialty products like antlers and deerskin leather.
- Deer farming was first introduced in North America around 1908. The earliest record of deer farming dates back to 5,000 B.C. China.
- Pennsylvania is No. 2 in commercial deer and elk farms, just short of Texas.
- The average whitetail deer farm has 82 deer; 28 males, 28 females, and 26 fawns. The average birth rate was 1.31 fawns per doe in 2006.
Elk
- Elk are raised for velvet, meat, recreational hunting, and other natural by-products.
- The ranching of elk in North America dates back 30-40 years, but it has not been until very recently that the industry has begun to really grow.
- In 1996 there were approximately 30,000 elk being farmed or ranched in North America.
- Annual revenues from velveting a mature elk (5+ years old) averages $1,495 (23 lbs at $65 per pound.)
- Mature bulls can weigh an average of 800 to 1000 lbs, and mature cows can average 550-600lbs.
- Elk are predominantly grazers, and with seasonal calvings typically in May or June.
