Our Town: Ely family farm has some surprises out in the pasture [Video]

ELY, Iowa (KCRG) -It could be a scene from Montana or Wyoming.

It’s a herd of elk which found a home on a 40-acre farm just east of Ely.

The Antler Ridge Elk Ranch is run by the Thuerauf family.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s so worth it,” said Emily Therauf.

Since 2001, Chris Thuerauf, Emily, and their kids have helped raise an unusual herd of animals.

In an area better known for cattle or pigs, they’re raising elk.

“I could write a thousand-page book on what I’ve learned,” said Chris. “Most of it I learned the hard way.”

The North American Elk Breeders Association says there are an estimated 70,000 farmed elk in North America and Antler Ridge is one of at least four elk farms in Iowa.

“We were looking for something value-added to raise on our 40 acres,” said Chris Thuerauf.

So Chris gave up on pig farming and researched other herds.

In 2001 …