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from The Country Today - Wednesday, August 11, 1999
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Fochs ranch educates public about elk production
by Bob Kliebenstein
LYNDON STATION --When Charlie and Nancy Fochs lived in Colorado, they
envisioned looking over the backyard of their home and watching elk roam the wide open Western landscape.
When they decided to move back to their native Wisconsin, that vision moved with them.
Out west, Mr. Fochs worked as an electrician and at building bridges. Mrs. Fochs was. a physical
therapist. When they returned to Wisconsin in 1994 they started NANCHAS (for Nancy, Charles) Elk Ranch.
As the business has become established along Highway H outside Reedsburg, the Fochses have found more
curious visitors stopping at the ranch. To satisfy inquisitive motorists, the Fochses decided to open the ranch
for tours this year. The first tour was May 12.
Visitors ride wagons around the ranch, and Mr. Fochs noted "we have had people on wagon tours
see calves born?'
Activity with the elk herd is expected to grow along with
spectator interest during the fall mating season in September, Mr. Fochs said. Visitors will be able to see and hear elk
bugling. The mating ritual of elk includes males jousting for the affection of females as they stake out their
territory.
NANCHAS animals are registered Rocky Mountain and Manitoban elk.
The herd is accredited tuberculosis-free through the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The
herd's status as a closed herd since 1994 is important for selling breeding stock. Semen straws for top-notch
bloodlines can cost up to $1,500 per straw.
Most of the ranch income is generated by breeding stock, with trophy
bulls and sales of velvet antler capsules providing additional cash flow. A small amount of meat is direct
marketed at the ranch.
To promote ranch tours, the Fochses modified a livestock building to
include a gift shop featuring byproducts of elk or items related to the elk industry.
The shed is also where they perform health work, blood tests and antler
harvest. Elk are run through a hydraulic chute custom built for the species.
The Fochses started their herd with 35 elk. Herd size fluctuates between 75 and 125 elk on their
160-acre farm. Approximately 65 acres are fenced with 8-foot high-tensile woven wire.
The Fochs hired one full-time employee and three part-time employees for the tour business. Part-time
employees drive the tour wagons.
James Krueger, the full-time employee, is an
intern at the ranch. He attends the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Mr. Krueger, who grew
up on a Hillsboro dairy farm, always been intrigued with
elk but working for the Fochses his first exposure to the species Mr. Krueger wrote a research
paper on elk production for a college class.
A member of the UW - Platteville chapter of National Agri-Marketing
Association, Mr. Krueger wants to convince the organization to focus this year's chapter on elk production.
He hopes his agricultural economics professor will visit the ranch be the end of his internship.
Mrs. Fochs is excited a the potential to work with UW-Platteville to promote elk viable business
venture.
"We had some growing pains," she said. "There is lot of work involved. When we
started the tours this year did not even know how to operate a cash register."
The Fochs plan to offer 1 through Nov. 1. In 2000 tours will begin in
June and Nov. 1. Weekend tours will in May. They also plan to mote tours to local schools.
The potential for commercial elk production is untapped in Wisconsin
and the Fochses plan to remain on the cutting edge.
"This industry is still and there is a lot to learn," Fochs said.
For more information tours, call (608) 524-4355.
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