Gillespie J M, Schupp A R
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, USA.
Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 1998 Nov;14(3):373-86.
The ratite industry remains in the market introduction stage of evolution; basic information on markets and production is limited. It is uncertain when, or perhaps whether, either the ostrich or emu industries will progress to the market growth stage. Until significant expansion occurs, ratite operations are likely to be faced with low or even nonexistant profits. It is the authors' observation that the ostrich industry is making slow but significant progress toward introducing products into potential growth markets. The fact that ostrich products were in demand prior to the ostrich being introduced into North America has helped the industry. The future of the emu industry appears to be much less certain. In the authors' opinion, in order for the emu industry to become profitable and grow, significant promotion of emu meat and immediate resolution of the value of the oil must be achieved. Meat sales alone will not carry emu production as a profitable commercial enterprise. Veterinarians can derive significant conclusions from this information. Currently, ratite production is composed of firms generating losses or minimal profits. South African producers are receiving approximately the same amount for a slaughter ostrich as North American producers. It is unlikely that North American ostrich prices will increase significantly. Prices of ostrich breeders of $2,000 to $4,000 per pair and $400 to $450 for slaughter birds are likely to remain the same for some time. Given that world demand has increased at a slower rate than supply, prices may decrease further. Breeder and slaughter birds will continue to require significant veterinary care; however, the producer will be forced to perform more farm treatments, given the negligible margins. Based on the differences in efficiency of existing operations, there are ample opportunities for veterinarians and extension services to assist producers. Vertical coordination in the ratite industry may evolve slowly in the future, especially in the arid regions of the country; however, economies of size in ratite slaughter are likely to remain uncaptured in the short run, limiting the rate at which vertical coordination evolves. If significant opportunities develop for veterinarians in vertically integrated ratite firms, the emphasis, as with other intensive livestock operations, will be preventative rather than therapeutic medicine, and will involve the integration of nutrition, management, genetics, and the control of disease.
平胸鸟类产业仍处于市场引入阶段的发展进程中；关于市场和生产的基础信息有限。鸵鸟或鸸鹋产业何时会，甚至是否会进入市场增长阶段尚不确定。在大规模扩张出现之前，平胸鸟类养殖业务可能面临微薄甚至没有利润的状况。作者观察到，鸵鸟产业在将产品引入潜在增长市场方面正取得缓慢但显著的进展。鸵鸟被引入北美之前，其产品就已存在需求这一事实对该产业有所帮助。鸸鹋产业的未来似乎更不确定。作者认为，为使鸸鹋产业盈利并发展壮大，必须大力推广鸸鹋肉，并立即确定鸸鹋油的价值。仅靠肉类销售无法使鸸鹋养殖成为盈利的商业企业。兽医可从这些信息中得出重要结论。目前，平胸鸟类养殖企业大多处于亏损或微利状态。南非鸵鸟养殖户出售一只屠宰用鸵鸟的收入与北美养殖户大致相同。北美鸵鸟价格大幅上涨的可能性不大。每对鸵鸟种鸟2000至4000美元、屠宰用鸵鸟400至450美元的价格可能会在一段时间内保持不变。鉴于全球需求增长速度低于供应增长速度，价格可能会进一步下跌。种鸟和屠宰用鸵鸟仍将需要大量兽医护理；然而，由于利润微薄，养殖户将不得不更多地自行进行农场治疗。基于现有养殖业务效率的差异，兽医和推广服务机构有充足机会协助养殖户。平胸鸟类产业的纵向协调未来可能发展缓慢，尤其是在该国干旱地区；然而，短期内平胸鸟类屠宰的规模经济可能仍未被挖掘，这限制了纵向协调的发展速度。如果兽医在纵向一体化的平胸鸟类企业中有大量机会，那么与其他集约化畜牧养殖业务一样，重点将是预防医学而非治疗医学，并且将涉及营养、管理、遗传学和疾病控制的整合。
