Elk — Feed Requirements Guide
Elk are large cervids raised commercially for meat, velvet antler, and breeding stock. At 800 lbs, an elk cow consumes approximately 20 lbs of dry matter daily, with seasonal variation that follows natural patterns of winter restriction and spring compensatory growth. Elk have unique nutritional characteristics as intermediate feeders, consuming both browse and grasses depending on season and availability. Commercial elk nutrition uses a combination of native pasture, grass hay, alfalfa, and specialized elk pellets. Protein requirements are higher than for beef cattle of similar size, reflecting the elk's faster metabolic rate and different digestive physiology. Bull elk have additional nutritional demands during velvet antler growth from March through August, when they deposit bone, cartilage, and vascular tissue at rates of up to 2 cm per day. The velvet antler market, primarily driven by demand from traditional Asian medicine, represents a significant revenue source for elk ranchers alongside meat sales.
Elk Nutritional Requirements by Life Stage
The table below shows how dry matter intake, protein requirements, and feed costs change across the 4 life stages of elk production. Life stage adjustments account for the dramatically different energy and protein demands of lactation, growth, gestation, and maintenance. Click any life stage for a dedicated page with detailed feeding recommendations and management tips.
| Life Stage | DMI Adj. | Daily DMI | Protein % | Daily Protein | Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | 1x | 20.0 lbs | 12% | 2.4 lbs | $51.14 |
| Lactating Cow | 1.3x | 26.0 lbs | 15.6% | 4.1 lbs | $66.48 |
| Growing Calf | 1.3x | 26.0 lbs | 18% | 4.7 lbs | $66.48 |
| Bull (Velvet Antler) | 1.2x | 24.0 lbs | 15.6% | 3.7 lbs | $61.36 |
*Monthly cost estimated using grass hay at $150/ton. Actual costs vary by feed type and region.
Recommended Feeds for Elk
The following feeds meet both the minimum crude protein and TDN requirements for elk at maintenance level (12% protein, 60% TDN) when fed as the sole feed source. In practice, most feeding programs combine multiple feed ingredients to optimize cost and nutritional balance.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | As-Fed/Day | Cost/Ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haylage (Baleage) | 14% | 60% | 44.4 lbs | $80 |
| Oats | 12% | 70% | 22.5 lbs | $210 |
| Barley | 13% | 84% | 22.7 lbs | $230 |
| Soybean Meal | 44% | 84% | 22.2 lbs | $450 |
| Cottonseed Meal | 41% | 75% | 22.0 lbs | $380 |
| Distillers Grains (Dried) | 27% | 86% | 22.2 lbs | $200 |
| Wheat Bran | 16% | 67% | 22.5 lbs | $180 |
| Rice Bran | 13% | 65% | 22.0 lbs | $200 |
| Pasture Grass (Fresh) | 12% | 62% | 80.0 lbs | $0 |
| Corn Gluten Feed | 21% | 80% | 22.7 lbs | $200 |
| Canola Meal | 36% | 74% | 22.2 lbs | $350 |
| Layer Pellets | 16% | 70% | 22.2 lbs | $400 |
| Broiler Starter | 22% | 78% | 22.2 lbs | $450 |
| Horse Sweet Feed | 12% | 72% | 22.7 lbs | $350 |
| Brewers Grains (Wet) | 26% | 66% | 83.3 lbs | $60 |
Feeds Requiring Supplementation
These feeds meet either the protein or TDN requirement but not both, and would need to be combined with other feeds in a balanced ration. The table indicates which nutritional requirement is met and which needs supplementation.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | Protein OK? | TDN OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa Hay | 18% | 58% | Yes | No |
| Corn Silage | 8% | 70% | No | Yes |
| Whole Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Cracked Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Beet Pulp | 9% | 74% | No | Yes |
| Molasses | 5% | 72% | No | Yes |
| Fat Supplement (Bypass Fat) | 0% | 180% | No | Yes |
| Urea (Feed Grade) | 281% | 0% | Yes | No |
| Alfalfa Hay Cubes | 17% | 56% | Yes | No |
Feeding Elk at Different Body Weights
Body weight directly determines dry matter intake. The table below shows how daily feed requirements change across a range of body weights for elk at maintenance level. Use the calculator for custom weights, life stages, and herd sizes.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | Daily Protein | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480 lbs | 12.0 lbs | 1.4 lbs | 360 lbs | 2.19 tons |
| 640 lbs | 16.0 lbs | 1.9 lbs | 480 lbs | 2.92 tons |
| 800 lbs | 20.0 lbs | 2.4 lbs | 600 lbs | 3.65 tons |
| 960 lbs | 24.0 lbs | 2.9 lbs | 720 lbs | 4.38 tons |
| 1,200 lbs | 30.0 lbs | 3.6 lbs | 900 lbs | 5.48 tons |
Herd Size Feed Budgets for Elk
Planning feed purchases and storage requires estimating total feed needs for your herd over time. The table below shows monthly and annual feed requirements and costs for various herd sizes of elk at maintenance level using grass hay at $150/ton.
| Head Count | Daily DMI Total | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 100.0 lbs | 1.50 tons | 18.25 tons | $3,110.80 |
| 10 | 200.0 lbs | 3.00 tons | 36.50 tons | $6,221.59 |
| 25 | 500.0 lbs | 7.50 tons | 91.25 tons | $15,553.98 |
| 50 | 1,000.0 lbs | 15.00 tons | 182.50 tons | $31,107.95 |
| 100 | 2,000.0 lbs | 30.00 tons | 365.00 tons | $62,215.91 |
| 200 | 4,000.0 lbs | 60.00 tons | 730.00 tons | $124,431.82 |
Other Animals
Browse feed requirement guides for other livestock species.