Animal, Plant & Soil Science

Lesson C7-16The Exotic Animal Industry

Interest Approach Ask students to name all the exotic

animals they have seen and where they saw them. Let students tell brief stories about visiting zoos or foreign countries. Discuss with students production opportunities of raising exotic animals. Why are some animals raised in a farm/agricultural setting? What are some potential markets for these animals and their byproducts?

Objectives Describe the bison industry and

discuss the positive and negative aspects of raising bison.

Describe the elk industry and discuss the positive and negative aspects of raising elk.

Describe the ratite industry and discuss the positive and negative aspects of raising ratites.

Objectives Discuss the opportunities to raise

other exotic animals, such as turtles and deer.

List the factors to consider when choosing to raise exotic animals.

Terms absentee ownership beefalo bison hobby operations large ranches medium-size ranches ratites small producer

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison?

The production and marketing of bison is a rapidly growing industry.

The industry has seen growth in the last few years because bison meat has three major benefits.

Bison meat offers a natural meat product that is produced without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison?

Bison meat is also a healthy meat. It is low in fat and high in protein

and iron, including the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Finally, many consumers desire bison meat because of its sweet flavor.

More and more chefs in the restaurant business are looking for alternative protein dishes, and bison meat provides such an alternative.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? A. The bison industry is relatively

new to the meat industry. There are federally inspected

commercial facilities that harvest the meat. 1. Bison are found in every state

throughout the United States and in several countries around the world. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture,

there are 232,000 bison in the United States. 2. Additional products, such as bison

leather, bison fibers, and other byproducts, have made new markets for bison producers.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? B. To raise bison, it is important to know the

history and characteristics of bison and how to manage and market them.

1. Bison were important tothe early Native Americans forfood, fuel, clothing, and otheritems.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? 2. There may have been as many as 60 million

head before the European settlers slaughtered so many of them. By the end of the 19th century, bison faced extinction—

there were only about 300 left. 3. Efforts were made to save the bison.

There are now more than 232,000, and the bison has been taken off the endangered species list.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? C. Bison are large animals that can weigh 2,000

pounds at maturity and stand over 6 feet tall at their hump.

They are 9 to 12 feet long and have large horns.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? Long hair covers the head and forequarters, and

shorter hair covers the rest of the animal. 1. Bison are also called buffalo, and their meat is

used like beef.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? 2. Bison are often crossed with domesticated beef

animals. Crossing the genetics of the bison and domesticated

beef, is called a beefalo. The meat is desirable because it has less cholesterol and

fat.

Bison Parts

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? D. The positive aspects of raising bison are

numerous and have become well known in the last few years because of educational efforts by the National Bison Association.

- In 1995 the American Bison Association (formed in 1975) and the National Buffalo Association (chartered in 1966) merged to become the National Bison Association.- The NBA has approximately 900 members in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison?

There are many types of enterprise opportunities for raising bison.

1. Absentee ownership is a method of raising bison in which people invest their money in the animals but have someone else raise them.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? 2. Hobby operations are those enterprises that

raise bison as a hobby or as an attraction. 3. The small producer is a business that raises

25 to 100 head and derives income from the herd.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? 4. There are also medium-size ranches.

Medium-size ranches are producers with herds from 100 to 250 animals that obtain income from selling meat and breeding stock.

5. Large ranchesare producers withseveral hundredanimals that earntheir income fromselling meat andbreeding stock.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? E. Other positive aspects

include the biological makeup of the animal. Bison have a hardy, natural

covering. Their hide can withstand winter storms and summer

heat. 1. Bison cows are typically easier to calve than

beef cows. 2. Bison also have a long life expectancy. 3. The National Bison Association provides

educational materials, support, and marketing strategies for producers.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? F. A few negative aspects of

raising bison include the following demanding management practices:

1. Handling animals correctly—Bison are handled differently than cattle. They will get nervous in close spaces.

2. Properly bringing new animals into the herd without infecting existing animals

3. Breeding animals properly—Consistency in the bison meat industry is crucial. Restaurants want appropriate consistency of age, size,

and quality of meat cuts.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising bison? 4. Meeting proper nutrient

requirements—Bison graze on any type of grass.

5. Prevention and treatment of health problems

6. Keeping accurate records of stock 7. Using strong, well-maintained fences—

Bison can jump up to 6 feet. 8. Making sure there is enough space for

the amount of animals you have 9. Avoiding poisonous plants and moldy

feed

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk? The elk industry has grown in the last 20 years

due to an interest in the production of elk meat, velvet antler markets, and adding diversity to farming operations.

It is estimated that there are 160,000 farmed elk in North America.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk? The interest in elk meat has given consumers a

low-fat, healthy red meat alternative to beef products.

The velvet antler produced by elk provides valuable supplements for dietary and medical needs.

These supplements improve joint health and are useful in the treatment of arthritis and in slowing the rate of osteoarthritis.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk? A. The positive aspects of

raising elk are numerous, and markets have grown through the education and promotion of the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA).

There are four common market strategies available to producers.

1. Raising elk for breeding stock is the first market opportunity. The value of high-quality elk is similar to the

value of registered beef cattle.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk? 2. Another market opportunity

is for the velvet antler that elk produce. Traditionally, Asia has held

high-market values for velvet as a medical supplement.

3. The third market opportunity is meat. Elk meat is described as a mild, lean meat comparable in

taste to beef from grass-fed cattle. Elk meat is highly desired by fine restaurants.

4. The final market for raising elk is the sale of animals to game parks and exhibits.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk?

B. Other positive aspects include the many productive practices of raising elk.

1. Elk are similar to cattle but are more efficient grazers.

2. People raise elk to diversify their farm operation or as a hobby.

3. Some invest money in elk farming for top breeding stock.

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk? C. A negative aspect of raising

elk is the difficulty of finding an elk breeder with a good reputation and a breeding plan.

1. Learning the handling aspects of elk is difficult for a beginner.

2. Elk can be affected by chronic wasting disease. This disease is highly regulated by the USDA.

3. The need for fencing and adequate facilities can also be viewed as a negative aspect.

What are the opportunities in raising other exotic animals, such as deer? B. Raising deer has

generated millions of dollars for several deer- producing countries.

1. New Zealand, Ireland, Great Britain, and Germany are the leading countries in deer production. The United States imports roughly three-fourths

of its venison from New Zealand, while the remaining one-fourth is raised domestically.

What are the opportunities in raising other exotic animals, such as deer? 2. Deer production has grown

in popularity due to the increase in demand for deer products, the minimal acreage requirements for deer production, and the ability of deer to feed on marginal pastures.

3. Deer are raised in national parks and game preserves and on farms and ranches.

What are the opportunities in raising other exotic animals, such as deer? C. Deer can convert pasture

grasses into protein more efficiently than other grazing livestock. They can also be raised on

marginal land, which allows them to fit well into an operation.

1. Deer also have a high ratio of lean meat produced per pound.

2. The labor requirements of raising deer are not demanding, and the profit potential can be great if a local market is available.

What are the factors to consider when choosing to raise an exotic animal?

Knowing what type of animal to raise involves doing research so there are no surprises.

A. Determining if raising the animal is profitable is the first thing to consider. If you are just raising the animals as pets, profit will not

matter. However, if you want a return on your investment, you

should set up your business accordingly. B. Before you even consider raising animals, make

sure you have the money for all the startup costs that will be involved.

What are the factors to consider when choosing to raise an exotic animal?

C. Research the areas in which the animals will be successful. Some animals are very compatible to all environments,

but others will only do well in specific conditions. D. Contact agencies that deal with laws and

regulations regarding animal production. Find out what licenses or permits will be necessary

before you obtain the animals. E. Even if you do excellent research and find the

perfect animal to raise, you still need to see if there is a market for the product you will be raising.

Review What are the positive and negative

aspects of raising bison?

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising elk?

What are the positive and negative aspects of raising deer?

Review What are the opportunities in raising other

exotic animals, such as turtles and deer?

What are the factors to consider when choosing to raise an exotic animal?