World Ostrich Association Newsletter No. 88
July, 2010
Included in this edition:
The Past and Present of Ostrich Production in Turkey
Tracking the True Tale of Turkeys
Assurance Schemes
Welfare in the News
The Past and Present of Ostrich Production in Turkey
The following is an article submitted by Aslı Artvinli, DVM. Miss Artvinli is the country liaison for Turkey and has been farming ostrich for some years alongside her work as a vet.
In the year 1996, while the investments in beef production decreased, the ostrich production first started in 1995 in Manavgat, Antalya. This attempt of ostrich production had got an attractive proportion till the year 2001 throughout Turkey. A rapid increase has gained in its commercial demand because it was a new, different and attractive investment. This rapid demand increase, consisted in parallel with the world ostrich industry, made people attend to this sector from diverse range of occupational groups. The ratio of specialized men on ostrich production and even stockbreeding was low in these groups. This handicap was the most important factor that affected the continuance of the sector.
Most of the investors entering this sector aimed to derive large profits in a short time. The livestock trade carried on with large margin of profits caused a speculative growth and development in the sector. Boosting the market without supplying the permanent under-work and continuant production resulted in the producers unable to meet the demands.
The wrong data pollution of feeding managements in Turkey, just as in the world, caused deficiency in protein and energy and decrease of efficiency in ostrich breeders. The difference of income and expenditure increased negatively in most of the investments, because most of the investments were neither a commercial nor long-term ones. The commercial enterprises could not reach the position of providing the continuance of production. The difference of incomes and expenditures couldn't be settled down so the small and middle enterprises closed down.
From the beginning of the year 2003, the increase of investments in beef production, the poultry industry which had a breakthrough in Turkey more than the average productivity of the world and the discontinuance of ostrich production reduced the interest of ostrich industry. On the other hand, the negative results of unstable growth resulted in only a few investors who pursued the true scientific and commercial strategy could be able to survive in Ostrich.
Since the year 2006, the ostrich industry could be able to survive by a few investors that produced concrete solutions. Some of the investors developed a cooperation to gain strength and action. In recent years, the circumstances developed foul impressions, especially in the meat market, is tried to be arranged. Today, ostrich industry in Turkey is in a position that gets interest and attracts attention. |
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Directors Comment:
Miss Artvinli’s comments on the way the industry developed in Turkey are mirror images of the development of our industry in every country. The industry attracted investors rather than agriculturists and these investors were only interested in getting quick returns from a breeding market rather than recognising greater horizons gained by developing the infrastructure to support meat and skin production and market development.
The experiences in Turkey once again reinforces our view that successful ostrich production can only be achieved with considerable investment in infrastructure, including processing plant and marketing budgets and must use high quality feeds coupled with excellent management.
The refreshing news that Miss Artvinli is reporting is that the efforts of a dedicated few who are applying modern feed and farming techniques are now being rewarded through the development of an industry that is once again attracting interest.
Tracking the True Tale of Turkeys
Brooklynne Fothergill, from the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History has recently identified that Turkeys were first domesticated for feathers not meat. This is interesting when we recognise that it is only recent years that Turkey production grew commercially and their industry went through similar development challenges that we have experienced with ostrich. The full press release of this research can be viewed on the university’s web site.
Assurance Schemes
The National Farmers Union in England and Wales has reported tremendous success in the uptake of pig and poultry farmers joining a new assurance scheme. They report more than 75% of those eligible taking up the scheme since the start in April of this year.
The scheme, a joint initiative of The Environment Agency and the National Farmers’ Union, was launched to cut red tape and reduce costs for farmers in England and Wales. The Scheme is for pig and poultry producers who are achieving a high standard of compliance under their Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) permit. The Assurance Scheme is developed with Assured Food Standards, who operate the Red Tractor Scheme. The Red Tractor logo assures consumers that the food carrying the logo was produced in England or Wales and comes from farms and food companies that meet high standards of food safety and hygiene, animal welfare and environmental protection.
The rapid take up of this additional scheme for pigs and poultry producers is further indication of the value of these assurance schemes in today’s market place. All the major buyers support these schemes.
The following newsletters have discussed assurance schemes and their role in marketing products:
Nos: 54, 55, 78, 79,
Welfare in the news
Below are 3 stories from this month that relate to welfare issues in commercial meat production that have influence in our markets. These are issues that consumers in the more affluent countries are demonstrating concern. These issues are important when accessing the high end consumers in any market.
EU Broiler Welfare Rules Come into Effect
An initiative started 10 years to improve the welfare standards of poultry raised in the EU is to be implemented into National law by 30th June according to a recent report in World Poultry.
American Humane Certified endorses colonies for hens
The American Humane Assn. animal welfare certification program, has announced that it now accepts enriched colony cages as humane systems for housing laying hens. This is a story reported in World Poultry that is further indication of the importance of animal welfare in the marketing of our products. This story also links to the ever increasing importance of assurance schemes in marketing meat and meat products.
NZ farmer jailed over chicken welfare issues
This relates to a story from New Zealand where a poultry farmer in Auckland, New Zealand, has been jailed for one year after keeping chickens in filthy, stressful conditions and selling their unsafe eggs and meat to local retailers. The story can be read here.
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