12/19/95

By Sam Hendrix, 334/844-3698

AU RESEARCH COULD HOLD KEY TO HEALTHY RATITE INDUSTRY

AUBURN -- Could that Thanksgiving turkey one day be joined on the table by ostrich steaks? Will Alabama families early in the next century complement the traditional Christmas ham with some broiled emu or roasted rhea?

Research under way at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine targets common health, production and reproduction problems associated with ratites -- large, flightless birds native to far-away parts of the world. If the various investigations are successful, an AU researcher says an emerging industry could become a major player in state agriculture.

"Ratite production is rapidly becoming an important commercial farming operation in the U.S. and Canada," says Paul Smith, a professor of pathobiology at AU. "The industry is currently in an unprecedented period of exponential growth, especially in the central and southeastern United States."

Would tradition-steeped consumers supplement some of their favorite dishes with these up-and-coming birds of a different feather?

"The meat is tasty and, for some individuals, healthier than beef and pork," says Smith.

A three ounce ostrich steak, with 2.6 grams of fat and 97 calories, compares favorably with the same amount of beef (16 grams of fat, 230 calories), pork (19 grams of fat, 275 calories), and even chicken (3 grams of fat, 140 calories), and may be more appropriate in a diet based on low fat and calorie intake, says Smith.

"Another benefit. Most of the fat in ratites is unsaturated, and, therefore, healthier for those of us with unbalanced cholesterol metabolism," he adds.

So how does it taste? Like steak, says Smith, who proved it through his "War Eagle Tailgate Test."

"I prepared ostrich meat and a choice loin cut of venison by two different old-family barbecue sauce marinade recipes, hickory smoked over night, and the next day offered portions to 19 Auburn fans," he said. "This experiment resulted in 17 of the 19 clearly preferring ostrich over the venison."

But food isn't the only benefit of an energized ratite industry.

Other products from the birds are of excellent quality, including:

** ostrich feathers -- great for dusting, unique as a fashion accessory;

** leather goods, such as purses, jackets or boots -- "The most comfortable boots I've ever worn," Smith says; and

** emu oil, a substance which may be anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti- bacterial and non-irritating and which has been used for centuries by Australian Aborigines and is used in some brand name cosmetics.

Unfortunately, there are obstacles to all of this prosperity, namely that the industry is new enough in the Southeast that some of the basic problems have not yet been solved. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's meat inspection division is still working to improve standards for processing and facilities.

The industry is growing, though, with an estimated 600 ranchers in Alabama now raising ratites.

Smith and other researchers at Auburn are at work exploring the causes of viral diseases common to all ratites, a likely hereditary ailment that cripples a high percentage of emus and recurring reproduction problems.

One AU project focuses on determining the cause and identifying characteristics of a ratite diarrheal disease thought to be caused by a virus. Smith says this disease results in high morbidity and high mortality rates for afflicted ostrich and rhea chicks. He suspects a coronavirus and recommends strict sanitation for and isolation of diseased chicks.

"We think this disease is highly transmissible," he says. "Early chick mortality is about the most damaging problem growers face, and this virus may be one of the main causes."

Smith and other AU researchers are also studying a disease in emus caused by equine encephalitis virus, which is endemic in the Southeastern U.S. because of the migratory patterns of songbirds, which commonly carry the virus.

Mosquitoes feed from the songbirds, then can feed on a horse, a ratite or a human, carrying the virus to a new host. Existing vaccines developed for horses against this virus are of some value, but Smith says horses still die from it in Alabama every year. What isn't clear yet is whether the same vaccination will work adequately for ratites.

"This disease is also a serious problem in emus, and we're not sure how frequently infected emus die from it," Smith said.

The clinical disease in emus differs from that seen in horses and in man. In horses, Smith says, the virus affects the central nervous system, causing encephalitis, but in emus it causes a bloody diarrhea.

"We're recommending emu owners vaccinate their birds with a vaccine used in horses. We're wanting to learn more about the rate of morbidity and mortality of this disease in ratites, as well as the protective ability of various vaccines," he said.

Another AU project focuses on a problem known as "splay-leg," or long bone rotation, which causes one or both legs of young ratites to extend out awkwardly. Smith says as many as 90 percent of offspring of some pairs of breeder birds have this affliction, and he believes it may be genetic.

While diseases among young ratites are a problem for growers, problems associated with production and hatching may be even more significant. Smith says AU ratite research is looking at some general issues related to production and hatching, such as ideal environments and handling of eggs.

Smith expects to learn early this coming spring whether he and the AU group are successful in their seeking a $276,000 artificial insemination research project being funded by the U.S.-Israeli Bi-National Agricultural Research and Development fund.

dec95:ratites

CONTACT: Smith, 334/844-2671, or 334/821-4635.