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from The Report/Times-Press - December, 16, 1999
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Local elk farmers harvest antler velvet for Asian market
by Jan Daniels
Elk farming may well be the livestock of the future as local farmers invest in this majestic animal, to
provide access to a nutritional supplement known in Asia for 2,000 years.
The velvet antler of the elk is known for promoting endurance, Stamina and strength, resisting
symptoms of stress and fatigue, improving blood circulating and kidney function, providing nutritional support for
joint structure and function, and revitalizing the entire body system.
Velvet antler is a 100-percent natural product made from whole antlers during their most
nutrient-abundant stage.
Due to the-recent explosion in this industry, the North American Council on Elk Ranching produced the
documentary "Elk: The Monarch. of the Forest" which debuted December 5 on the Outdoor Life Network.
The documentary, hosted by outdoor expert Doug Copsy, was filmed on location at 17 elk ranches in
Wisconsin, Michigan and, Colorado.
Of the 200 elk ranches in Wisconsin, four are featured in the documentary: Nanchas Elk
Ranch, G & K Bulls, Hard Rock Game Farm and Meadow Creek Farms.
Nancy and Charlie Fochs own Nanchas Elk Ranch-off Cty. H
near Reedsburg.
In 1994 they started with 30 elks and now have 125 on the
160-acre ranch.
Every spring in March and April, the male elk shed their
antlers and new ones grow back, to be harvested in June or July during their velvet stage when they are most
nutrient-abundant and full of blood.
"They're cut off in a humane way," C. Fochs
said.
The velvet is removed and the antler is ground up into
capsules.
Asians have used it as preventive medicine and Native
Americans describe elk as the most majestic and honorable of animals who walk like kings, according to Fochs.
Every year of their 15-20 year lives, the antlers will
shed and re-grow.
Antlers can grow one to one and a half inches a day
according to Fochs.
The Boon and Crocket record is 446 and three-eighths
inches of antlers on an elk.
"We have animals who've beat that record by 30 and
60 inches in two bulls we bred this year," Fochs said.
Hoss, is one of the largest
four year 'old bulls in the US and won first place in the-region,
Duncan is another of grand size at seven years, he weighs
1,049 pounds.
G & K Bulls
Gary Erickson of Wisconsin Dells owns G & K Bulls and keeps his one and a half year old spiked
bull and three-year-old pregnant cow on Fochs' ranch.
Next summer he plans on buying land and putting up fence for his own ranch.
Erickson has hunted elk out west for the past six years.
Touring the
Nanchas Ranch
Bulls are tagged in the right ear, female cows in the left. The color of the tag represents the father of
the animal. If it's green that means it was artificially inseminated.
The classification
allows for quick background on the animal and keeps it organized.
"They've all
been blood tested and are 100 percent elk registered through North American Elk Breeders Association; Fochs'said.
The Fochs' tours offer breeding stock, harvested antlers, elk meat and a gift shop.
With four or five markets in which to sell elk, they are 'unique", as most animals have only one
or two, according to Fochs.
They make everything from handles to chandeliers out of elk antlers.
"If it can be made out of wood, it can be made out of antler," Fochs explained.
Elk also have two ivory teeth in the front of their jaw which are quite valuable.
They used to be tusks, and have evolved over time into ivory teeth, according to Fochs.
Although tours of the ranch and gift shop are only available from May to October 31, meat, velvet
antler capsules and breeding stock information can be found on their website:
www.ElkRanch.net.
The Antler Power Capsules are made by Nutritional Advantage Elk Produ8cts of South Bend, Wisconsin and are also
for sale in The Vitamin Shop on Main St. in Reedsburg.
Found in Velvet
Antler
Amino Acids -
Including essential amino acids.
Linolenic Acid - Most significant of essential fatty acids, required in higher amounts than other fatty acids.
Phospholipids--Major structural lipids (fats) of cellular membranes; blood
pressure lowering function; anti-aging benefits.
Minerals--Mostly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium,
some of which increase as antler hardens.
Collagen--Protein sub-stance of skin fibers, tendon, bone, cartilage, and
connective tissues.
Proteoglycans-- Important for elasticity of joints.
Chondroitin sulfate--Helps rebuild degenerating cartilage.
Glucosamine sulfate--Necessary for connective tissue; absence results in
early aging.
Glycosaminoglycans--Lubricates joints.
Keratan sulfate--Functions in the assembly of the collagen network.
Growth hormones--Elevated levels of insulin-like, growth factor; contributes to therapeutic value of humans.
Nucleotides--May produce anti-aging effects.
Prostaglandins--Naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents; helps regulate
lipid metabolism.
Gangliosides--Promotes memory and learning function.
Uses for Velvet Antler:
arthritis relief
muscle development
increased strength
increased endurance
red blood cell production to correct anemia
capacity of blood to carry oxygen
speedy recovery from injury and stress
faster recuperation after surgery
augmented levels of certain anabolic hormones
enhanced immune activity
fertility
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