Cuddle Up This Winter With Wisconsin Mink

Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:08 PM CST

Jill Makovec, Alice in Dairyland

With record snow falls and cold temperatures this winter, several people have commented that it is hard to stay warm when going outdoors. In years past, I would have agreed with them. However, this year serving as Alice in Dairyland has allowed me to brave the cold in a Wisconsin Mink Coat.

For years, Alice has showcased Wisconsin’s magnificent mink industry with a garment provided by the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders. This year, I am honored to not only represent Wisconsin mink, but also the largest mink farm in North America since that is where the pelts for my coat were harvested.

Throughout my travels, many people I have encountered are amazed at the agricultural commodities Wisconsin is recognized for. In fact, Wisconsin not only leads the nation in mink production, it is also known worldwide for superior quality mink pelts. Last year, Wisconsin produced 885,000 pelts, or 31 percent of the United States production.

Only certain areas around the world can raise mink and Wisconsin is the perfect spot. That is because it is located at a proper longitude with good seasonality. Our winters are cold but not too cold, so mink grow good winter fur, and while it does get warm in the summer, it is not too hot that strategically placed misters cannot cool the mink. Wisconsin also has an ample, high-quality food supply vital for excellent pelt production.

But, even in an ideal location, raising mink is no easy task. The mink are bred in March, and after a one month gestation, kits are born. When the kits arrive at the end of April to beginning of May, they are no bigger than the size of your pinky. Typically, each female has five kits. With intimate care, they reach full size of 24 inches by the beginning of September. By then, the weather starts to turn cold helping them develop a full coat of winter fur by the end of November.

Mink have to be cared for diligently. The buildings are cleaned regularly, feed is supplied twice daily and fresh, cool water must always be readily available. Just like other livestock species, mink undergo an extensive vaccination program to protect their health. Mink producers also conduct regular blood testing to check for disease.

To maintain Wisconsin’s reputation for superior mink, selective breeding is essential. Each fall the mink are evaluated on color, softness, body size, and litter size to determine which ones will be used for breeding future generations.

One of the key elements to mink production is high quality feed. Nutritional requirements change throughout the year with the needs of the mink. Different diets are needed for lactation, growth and winter fur growth. Therefore, mink require carefully balanced rations. Mink need a diet high in protein and supplemented with calcium, so Wisconsin’s vibrant dairy and livestock industries provide plenty of scrap foods high in these nutrients. Expired or waste lunch meat, fish, liver, eggs and cheese are excellent food staples for mink. In addition, mink are natural recyclers, so feeding them these foods help keep them out of our landfills. Wisconsin is known for producing the best quality fur in the world because of the better food.

While my coat is black, mink pelts are available in a variety of colors. In North America, 70 percent of the pelts produced are black; however, brown pelts are more popular in Europe. Brown pelts include mahogany and pastel varieties; while sapphire, blue iris and violet are shades of grey pelts. Growing in demand are white pelts because of their dying ability.

Mink production in Wisconsin is a $42 million industry recognized internationally for pelt production and breeding stock. While we may not all own a mink coat, it is important to realize the extensive value of this industry, and its importance to Wisconsin agriculture. So, the next time you think about Wisconsin be sure to “Think Mink!”

Alice in Dairyland is Wisconsin’s premier agricultural ambassador. She travels over 40,000 miles each year to spread the word about our agricultural industry. Alice in Dairyland can be reached by writing to “The Face of Wisconsin Agriculture”, DATCP, 2811 Agriculture Drive, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53718. You can schedule Alice for an upcoming event by contacting the Alice in Dairyland Program at 608-224-5128 or by e-mail at mailto:Alice@datcp.state.wi.us.

Comments »

Comment on this story

Comments will be approved within 48 hours

Name:

Email: (optional)

Comments:

Image Verification: (Case sensitive)