Issue No: 14
1. Avian Influenza
2. UK Slaughter
3. Developing Contracts
4. Member Activities
5. New Director
6. New Web Pages
7. Contributions
1. Avian Influenza
We have all been well aware of the devastating outbreaks of Avian Influenza over the past few months. A question was asked if Ostrich are susceptible to Avian Influenza. First it is important to understand that there are a number of strains, some more virulent than others, but just two, H5 & H7, that in the highly pathogenic (HP) form are especially devastating. This is not necessarily because the disease will spread through all the flock - rather HP Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease that invariably results in the authorities destroying all the birds within a designated area. During the outbreak in Italy Avian Influenza got into the wild bird population. One ostrich farm reported dead wild birds in his water trough and a couple of birds in that same pen did go down with Avian Influenza. All Ostrich on the farm had to be slaughtered, even though there were no other cases in any other pens.
Michael Sunderland, our liaison officer in Canada, posted this report to the Bulletin Board: Due to a severe outbreak of Avian Flu in Poultry, The Canadian Food Inspection agency announced a cull of all types of domesticated birds in The Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Maurice Bridge of The Vancouver Sun told me Ostrich were also included. The Canadian Ostrich Association does not have any members in that area so it cannot be judged whether any Ostrich are effected. Again there is no evidence Ostrich are susceptible but clearly culling is seen as away of eradication.
Stan Stewart recently attended a workshop meeting held in England as part of a program to inform EU member states of the programs for surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds. Ratites are included in the program. Present were representatives from the British Poultry Council, British Egg Industry Council, National Farmer's Union, Several of the large commercial poultry operations and the British Domesticated Ostrich Association (Stan).
The damage to the poultry industry of any country (or region) when disease of this nature hits is devastating and extremely costly. With Ostrich classified as poultry they will fall into any slaughter program that maybe laid down by a particular authority. As an industry, this is an area that we need to be aware of, in time we need to do our own research on Ostrich. One aspect to bear in mind with Ostrich is that our birds are raised, for the most part, outdoors. Ostrich are not raised densely packed into buildings that may or may not be controlled environment. It was proven in the Newcastle Disease research project carried out on Ostrich in South Africa in the mid 1990s that the rate of transmission was very low when the disease was introduced to outdoor feed lot birds as opposed to chicks housed undercover.
2. UK Slaughter
During the development of our industry new countries have entered the industry primarily as a breeder market. As the breeder market collapses plans are put into place for slaughter, instead of ensuring a full infrastructure is planned before importing the first birds. In UK law red meat slaughter plants cannot slaughter any specie classified as poultry. This law prevented Ostrich from being slaughtered in Red Meat plants. Several purpose build slaughter plants have been built, but it still requires birds to be hauled over long distances on roads that tend to be less than straight and with many roundabouts. This block in the slaughter was a major contributory cause to the collapse of the industry in the UK when the Breeder market was over.
This situation is now to be resolved. The British authorities have given their commitment to put in place a special license for slaughter plants wishing to slaughter Ostrich. They will be licensed also for Poultry with a restriction for Ratites only. It is worth noting that most EU countries already allow the slaughter of Ostrich in Red Meat Slaughter plants.
To date there have been two classes of slaughter plant approval in the UK - National and Export. Generally speaking the low throughput slaughter plants have had National approval and the High Throughput plants have had EU Export Approval. Many low throughput plants are closing down as they become uneconomic. From 31st January, 2006 the regulations change and there will be only one class of slaughter plant approval. If a plant is licensed, produce from that plant can be exported to other EU countries.
3. New Projects
Over the past few months I have become aware of a number of people in different countries wishing to start major ostrich production projects. When starting new projects producers have been generally purchasing Breeders and/or eggs/day old chicks. The worst case I have personally come across is breeders that have been shipped to 3 different continents during their lives and expected to be productive. I have come across many breeders that have been to two or more countries during their lives. Any person selling a breeder today is doing so either because they are no good or because they are going out of business.
Purchasing day old chicks from a single source will generally result in a limited genetic base. In addition very few breeders are identifying chicks individually at hatch and therefore able to provide parentage of chicks. When large numbers of unidentified chicks are purchased from a single source, it is impossible for the purchaser to know if any chicks are related when holding back chicks as potential breeders. The best way to overcome this situation is to purchase chicks from a number of different sources to achieve a diversity of genetics. Remember that there are at least 10 sub-specie and not just Reds, Blues and Blacks.
Most of you will have also read our reference to the importance of Nutritional History. Today this cannot be overlooked as it is becoming an increasing problem. As producers come under financial pressure the cost of feed is cut. When cutting the cost of feed, the nutrient levels are cut. This is having a serious impact on numbers of eggs laid, fertility, hatchability and most importantly chick survivability.
There are a number of areas that have birds and struggling to make the transition from breeder market to commercial production. To develop long term sustainability, this is an approach that I would suggest should be considered to provide the required stock for the developing projects and assist the suppliers make the transition from breeder market to commercial production.
a. New production unit should not consider purchasing breeder birds. They should purchase fertile eggs and/or day old chicks.
b. They raise these chicks on a High Production Nutritional Program from Day one to ensure optimum reproductive organ development.
c. Unless there is already an infrastructure in place in the area of operation, a new production unit should only start up if they have the resources to put in place the full infrastructure from feed supply through to processing and marketing.
d. The supply of eggs and/or chicks should be of sufficient numbers to enable the development of commercial levels of processing.
e. The best of these slaughter birds are identified and held back to form the foundation breeder herd.
f. The supplies of chicks comes from a number of different areas to achieve a diversity of genetics.
g. The suppliers of chicks maintain their breeders on a High Production Nutritional Program to ensure quality eggs and chicks. It will be understood that there will be a phased improvement after changing to the High Production Nutritional Program. (Defined Slide 7 "Cutting the Costs of Ostrich Production" available at http://www.world-ostrich.org/chinacon.htm)
h. There will be a contract in place between the new Production units and the suppliers of the chicks. This will ensure that the suppliers can invest in commercial production programs to provide quality chicks. There will be a limited number of years before New production units become self sufficient. During this period the chick suppliers:
- Can upgrade their breeder base through close liaison with their customers to help identify their better genetic lines.
- Put in place a program for slaughter facility and processing construction
- Develop of a Marketing Program
A plan along these lines will help all parties develop long term sustainable growth that has been missing to date in this industry.
4. Member Activities
Dr. Hesham Khalifa's posting has generated reports from some of our liaison officers. I will add a regular section to the newsletter to summarise and report on member activities. The following are activities reported:
a. Antonio Marques - Ecuador
Antonio is organising the first Ostrich Expo in Guayaquil Ecuador. The objective is to re-activate the industry after a long period of time with no relevant success.
The Expo will take place on May 28-29-30.
We wish Antonio success and look forward to your report of the event.
b. Michael Sunderland - Canada
Michael has reported:
- In Canada there are Associations across the Country, but that production is very low and confined to niche marketing.
- One major problem for Producers is a lack of Processing facilities which means that Producers are locked into the home market. A new initiative in Alberta is providing a slaughter plant for Alternative Livestock and ratites are included in this initiative. Currently the main producer support is coming from the Bison producers.
- Few are willing to address the issues of good nutrition in production and the market remains open to be exploited by those who have done their homework and are prepared to do so.
- There is little interest among these small and medium size Producers to join the W.O.A and few see any real value in joining. Against this negative backdrop there is interest among Professional Persons and Marketers who are willing to accept the principles and standards that have already been established by the W.O.A.
- There is an overwhelming need to attract new Blood and Investment in a country where the business climate is very favourable. New entrants are usually more willing to adapt to new practices and principles.
The issues that Michael has raised are common in many areas and not confined to Canada. Picking up on one comment Michael has said:
"The market remains open to be exploited"
The use of the word "exploited" gives negative connotations. In this context I would suggest if this is seen as open to "OPPORTUNITIES" provides a more positive approach.
c. Middle East
Dr. Hesham Khalifa is this week running a week seminar in Syria. Syria are fairly new to ostrich production and he has reported to me that he is seeing the same rearing difficulties that we see in all other countries caused by poor nutrition.
d. Training Courses
A few weeks ago Steve Warrington received a request for a training course. Steve asked our Chairman, Stan Stewart, if he could hold a course and Stan agreed. The course will last 12 days and covers the whole production chain. The interest in this course has been amazing. The first is fully booked and takes place from 24th May to 6th June. Stan has put on a second course, 12th June to 26th June, to take care of further enquiries that have been coming through and those who required time to obtain visas for entry into England. Stan has a small slaughter plant which enables practical
slaughter and meat processing sessions as well as practical sessions on his small farm.
Stan asked me to assist in view of the many presentations I already have created. When preparing the material it does make one appreciate just how much more detail we will have time for every subject when compared to a 20 minute or even 40 minute slot in a seminar. If any one would like information on the full program, costs etc. please email Stan or myself.
e. Future Reports
Please send either to the members list or to me ([email protected]) any news or activity that you believe is of interest to other members for inclusion in future issues of this newsletter in this slot.
5. New Director
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Yang Hoa min, from Shaanxi IKO Ostrich Co. Ltd.., Xi'an, China has been appointed a director to replace Isabel Silva, under the terms of the Board of Director's Resolution #1. (http://www.world-ostrich.org/member/resolve1.htm)
Mr. Yang has a passion for the industry and has led IKO to become the largest Ostrich company in China, owning in excess of 20,000 ostriches spread over 6 farms. During our time in China their state of the art, EU approved slaughter plant was opened with a capacity of 60,000 birds/annum.
The WOA is currently negotiating with Mr. Yang's company to set up the first WOA approved research centre.
Please welcome Mr. Yang to your Board of Directors.
6. New Web Pages
A reminder to all that the presentations by directors and members of the WOA that were presented at the Conference in China, including a few photographs that will be improved upon, can be viewed now from
http://www.world-ostrich.org/chinacon.htm
7. Contributions
As always I ask for contributions from Country Liaisons and other members. A sharing of your experiences, what is happening in your area - anything you believe that would be of interest to other members. Any contributions for inclusion in future news letters please send to Fiona at [email protected].
Any comments or suggestions, please post either to the members list [email protected] or Craig at [email protected]