Seventeenth annual ostrich auction bolsters industry with superior genetic material

by Dr Ilse Trautmann, ilset@elsenburg.com

TThe South African ostrich industry developed largely due to the demand for ostrich feathers in the fashion industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A group of dedicated farmers kept their ostrich flocks despite poor market demand and ultimately an ostrich abattoir opened in Oudtshoorn in 1965. This heralded the introduction of ostrich meat as the primary commodity, rather than feathers. Initially, ostrich skins were tanned abroad, but in 1970 a tanning facility was opened in Oudtshoorn and the ostrich leather industry was born. By 1993 the ostrich industry was strong financially and producer numbers increased in the Southern, Western and the Eastern Cape. A strong export market for meat for the health-conscious and leather products for the fashion-conscious renewed the interest in ostrich farming. Despite less favourable market conditions, avian influenza and a severe, multi-season drought, a group of dedicated farmers continue to ensure that South Africa remains the top ostrichproducing country that provides quality meat, leather and feathers to the world.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has supported the ostrich industry through research into all aspects of ostrich production since the 1970s. It is the proud owner of the only ostrich research facility in the world on its Oudtshoorn research farm. A prestige breeding flock was established from widely selected breeding material donated by ostrich farmers. The agreement with the industry was that the breeding flock was to be maintained and improved in order to provide the industry with improved breeding material. Researchers implemented a selection programme focused on reproduction and weight from which chicks and breeders are distributed back to the ostrich industry. The department annually sells progeny from the research flock to the industry. This enables the industry to benefit directly from the genetic improvement made through its research. Since the start of the annual production auctions in 2004, more than 2 500 breeder birds have been sold to the ostrich industry.

Minister Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture opened the 17th annual ostrich auction at the Oudtshoorn research farm in March 2021. He emphasised that “Lifelong learning, continuous professional development, knowledge production and innovation are central to building the capabilities of the agricultural sector. For this reason, structured training and education and research is one of my key priorities.” He further stated, “South Africa’s ostrich industry is world-renowned. Market access for our products is therefore another key ministerial priority. We must continue to ensure that South Africa remains the top ostrich-producing country that provides quality ostrich meat, leather, and feathers to the world. By doing so, we support the economy and jobs in the Western Cape”.

Seventy-seven adult birds were on offer and the average price realised was R4 500 with the highest price achieved at R7 250. AP