A variety of exotic, non-conventional, heritage and rare breed animals are in commercial production today. "Alternative livestock" species include emus, game birds, bison, deer, elk, draft animals, turkeys, earthworms and more.
Raising Alternative Livestock Breeds
Agricultural Alternatives
Pennsylvania State University. Cooperative Extension Service.
Production and budget information for small-scale livestock systems and for non-conventional species including goats, game birds, ostriches, elk, bison and deer.
Alternative Livestock Links
Government of Ontario, Canada. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Web links to information about alternative livestock species including bison, camelids, deer and elk, fur-bearing animals, gamebirds, rabbits, ratites and wild boar.
Diversification Options - Livestock and Poultry
Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Minnesota Farm Opportunities.
Provides tips for online searching and keywords for more than 30 livestock diversification options.
Missouri Alternatives Center: Link List
University of Missouri. Cooperative Extension Service.
Links to hundreds of full-text Extension publications that address all kinds agricultural alternatives including a wide range of livestock species and production systems.
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Information about heritage and threatened livestock breeds of asses, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.
Animal Diseases: Alternative Livestock
USDA. APHIS. Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health.
Information about animal disease trends and issues, chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis as they relate to game animal production.