In the late 1970's and early 1980's, elk appeared in Canadian farming. Some speculative elk farms were also begun at this time in Montana and Idaho. Within the last 5 years, the elk industry has grown due primarily to steady prices for quality elk. Breeding stock will be in demand for at least the next 10 years. Breeding prices have held for the past 3 years.
Prices vary with quality and geography.
Most of the breeding stock today are descendants of wild elk that have been behind wire for 40 years. The market for breeding stock is driven by the velvet market. And the demand for velvet is driven by foreign markets, particularly Korea and other Asian countries. Velvet refers to a stage of antler development of the antler. The blood in the antler is what is important at this stage.