What have the main fronts been in ostrich husbandry research?

 Horizon-scanning the ostrich industry with bibliometric indicators

From the domestication of the ostrich to the deregulation of the industry, the ostrich industry experienced rapid growth and changes in research, intellectual property, innovation and technology transfer. Ostrich production is typical of industrial agriculture, which combines techno-scientific methods with an intensive agro-processing value chain. Since the processing of the leather, meat, feathers and skins requires substantial technological know-how and advanced equipment, it has resulted in vast amounts of research and advisory literature emerging from private companies, co-operatives and industry organisations. Researchers conducting literature studies face an increasingly complex amount of literature, and the ‘research landscape’ is also in a continuous state of change. This article turns a vice into a virtue: it deals with the analysis and mapping of the large volumes of academic literature on ostrich husbandry found in the Google Scholar database (GS) by means of a word analysis of titles and keywords in abstracts to determine ostrich-related ‘research foci’.

The results suggest that there are associations between the deregulation of the industry and increased emerging ostrich research, between the time of political isolation of South Africa and substantially increased global research on ostrich reproduction by 1996, and between epidemiological research and the outbreak of the avian influenza virus between 2004 and 2006. This indicative study contributes to the development of a novel prototype for the prediction of future developments and trends in agricultural research

For more information download article from

http://www.afjare.org/resources/issues/vol_10_no1/5%20%20Pittaway%20%20Van%20Niekerk.pdf

The heat is on for ostriches in South Africa

In the Klein Karoo extreme heat has plagued the ostrich farmers again. About 250 ostriches have died from heat exposure in temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius, Beeld newspaper reported on Thursday (10 February 2011).

Birds of between four and five months old that were vulnerable to heat exposure. Ostriches of this age cost about R2 500 per bird (250 x  R2500 is estimated @ about ZAR625,000 / $100,000 losses). Climate change and extended summers may result in ostrich growing areas like the Karroo susceptible to increased ostrich fatalities in the future.


"Dr Adriaan Olivier, head veterinarian and manager of research and development at the Klein Karoo International Farms, said that the ostriches were not able to cool down as the temperature of the air was warmer than their body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius. "The only way that these semi-desert birds can cool down is to gasp but this doesn't work when it is so hot and ostriches die of organ failure,"
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Heatwave-kills-250-ostriches-20100211

Exotic leather sector in South Africa is undergoing rapid change

The exotic leather sector in South Africa is undergoing rapid change because of globalisation, improving global delivery times, a global speed-up of the rate of change in the business environment, improved market responses, highly competitive cheaper leathers and substitute pleather market (more market responsive production cycle)

Pink ostrich leather bicycle seat

Mountain bikers have now an opportunity to pimp up the mountain bikes with pink ostrich leather bicycle seats or saddles. SELLE AN-ATOMICA has introduced this very neat and interesting looking Ostrich Leather Saddles for all biking enthusiasts. Introduced as limited edition Ostrich Leather Saddle, it is available in many different colours from Neon Green to Indian Pink.

Cyclists planning to use it in the mountains and mud, might have to add some waterproofing application to the seat. According to Selle An-Atomica it is a “slot for comfortable and healthy riding and also are very sexy...?”

With a Indian pink bicycle saddle, cyclists sure will easily be spotted and tracked in event like the 24 hrs night races such as Transbaviaans in South Africa ;)

Ostrich leather artist from Mossel Bay, South Africa (art and craft manufacturing)

Situated in Mossel Bay, South Africa, Leather Artist, an art and craft manufacturing came to life in September 2009, by Jaco Steyl

Designing and artwork have always been a passion of mine. From the young age of 5 years my parents noticed my talent and have supported my efforts since then. Art brings inner peace and happiness, which I believe are the building blocks for a healthy relationship with yourself and others.

Not surprisingly, art became my eventual tertiary field of study. I completed my national diploma in textile design at Port
Elizabeth University of Technology and have been doing part-time creative work
since then.


I realised that most suppliers of ostrich leather offer product ranges consisting of
mainly clothing, shoes and fashion accessories. Decorative household items and
genuine artwork are hard to find. Leather Artist was created to offer that something
special and unique.

Ostrich leather is known as exotic leather with a beautiful texture. It is this unique
texture that brings the artwork to life. I have tried to capture the spirit of Africa with
themes such as African Children, Mother and Child and African Sunsets, painted on
ostrich leg skin leather. I am currently working on a range of African wildlife but am
not restricted to African themes. Floral paintings, for example the Strelitzia, also
work well on the leg skin.

I also manufacture products such as coasters and pot stands from ostrich leg skin and
serviette rings made from either leg or body skins. All raw materials are sourced
locally and all work is done by me, Jaco Steyl, to ensure the highest possible quality.
It is my mission to build a business that will enable me to employ people from local,
previously disadvantaged communities to help them develop and refine their skills. I
will continue to dream and design as it is a special talent I have been blessed with and
am grateful for.