An estimation of reproductive performance of farmed elk (Cervus elaphus) in North America.

Abstract

North American farmed elk (Cervus elaphus) producers were surveyed to determine period specific rates of calving, abortion, and dystocia, and to examine the effect of reproduction-related mortality on the productivity of farmed elk. The overall calving rate was 86.3% and the calving rate for adult cows was found to be significantly higher than that for heifers. Abortions were seen on 7.6% of farms and the overall abortion rate was approximately 0.6%. Dystocia was experienced in 5.9% of births. Neonatal mortality, summer mortality, weaning mortality, and postweaning mortality rates were calculated and compared. Failure to produce a live neonate was responsible for 64% of the total reproductive loss and calf mortalities from birth to 1 year of age accounted for 36%. Failure to produce a live neonate had a more significant effect on productivity than did mortalities from birth to 1 year of age, suggesting that reproduction has a greater economic effect on elk farms than neonatal mortality.