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ETTERS (York Co.) On
June 3-4, the-Eastern Regional
Emu Chapter (EREC) of the
American Emu Association
(AEA) held a combination annual
membership meeting and seminar,
“Emu For The Future,” in Mah
wah, NJ.
This northeastern event was at
tended by farmers, ranchers, in
vestors from as far away as Maine,
Vermont, Connecticut and Can
ada, as well as New York, New
Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Mark and Roseann Annunziato
of Rosemark Farms, along with
the program committee of EREC,
coordinated a comprehensive and
entertaining seminar.
Guest speakers included Ralph
Benton, Bernard Rcdlawsk, and
Scott Morgan, members of the
AEA board of directors; Dr. Bruce
Witlels, DVM, owner/operator of
the Mid-Monroe Veterinary Hos
pital and the Tristan Veterinary
Clinic, both in New York; and Bill
Hayes, vice president of EREC
and attorney who raises emus at
his Golden Pond Ranch in Wil
liamstown, N.J.
Ralph Benton of Grotce Coy
otee Wildlife spoke on the Emu
market, where it is and where it is
going, product development, and
the function of cooperatives for
the future success of the Emu
ranchers. Three new products
were introduced from Emu
Ranchers, Inc., (ERI) and then do
nated by Ralph to the EREC Silent
Auction for the benefit of the asso
ciation. The Emu is a viable pro
duct for the future, land efficient,
and totally consumable. Advice
was given to look at the Emu not
as a “Get rich quick scheme,” but
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recting of pricing, which will
make it attractive to many more
ranchers of the future.
Bernard Redlawsk of Bemie’s
Flying Emu Farm and president of
EREC presented a discussion on
facilities for Emu, covering spe
cialties for chicks, yearlings, and
breeder pairs. Discussion included
planning and taking care of Emus,
especially in severe weather.
Scott Morgan talked about con
tracts from all perspectives - buy
er, seller, investor, and boarder.
He said that you should put every
thing into a contract that you can
think of and that, if possible, you
should consult an attorney in
drawing up your contracts. He
also emphasized that you should
feel comfortable with the person
wilh whom you are doing busi
ness, as if you could do business
on a handshake. Contracts serve to
refresh memories on already
agreed details.
Wittels addressed the care and
management of Emus, as well as
preventive medicinc/maihtenance
for Emus. He believes that 90 per
cent of all problems are directly
related to improper management,
and that the two most common
ways diseases are transmitted on
ratite farms are humans and other
birds. Nutrition should be of key
concern, as well as overall flock
health and facility cleanliness (in
cluding incubators, work areas,
and transporting equipment). He
also thinks that facilities should be
designed with reference to biose
curity and stress management of
the birds.
Bill Hayes delivered his com-
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ments on how to sell yourself and
your birds and how to get your lo
cal publications involved by writ
ing feature stories on your birds,
business, facilities, hatching, or
just about anything of newsy in
terest that a newspaper/magazine
would print. This equals free ad
vertising. He suggested speaking
before local clubs such as Kiwan
is. Chamber of Commerce, etc.
Getting involved outside your
farm is crucial to educating others
about this industry.
Linda Woo from Showcase
Young Farmers:
Do You Have Strong
ALBANY, N.Y. Young far
mers looking to broaden their
capabilities and openly engage in
lively discussions about issues
impacting agriculture should plan
to enter Farm Bureau’s Young
Farmer Discussion Meet.
Organized for fanners between
the ages of 18 and 30, the discus
sion meet differs from a debate in
the sense that the participants
work together to arrive at the best
solution to agricultural policy con
cerns. The winner is the individual
who best develops and defends his
positions.
The topics for this year’s dis
cussion meet competition include
concerns that are critical to the
future of American agriculture.
The 1994 discussion topics are as
follows:
(1) As agriculture’s political
influence is diminishing, should
Farm Bureau seek coalitions with
other organizations?
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Farms, a founding member of
EREC, made a special effort to ad
dress attendees on EREC’s func
tion and purpose while thanking
the founders for their past efforts.
A first “Roundtable Lunch
Workshop” was held, with at least
one experienced Emu breeder at
each table. This format allowed
one-on-one discussion and ad
dressed specific problems and
thoughts within the group. After
ward, each table answered speci
fic questions, and these were com
piled into a handout for all the par
ticipants.
(2) What is agriculture’s
responsibility in management and
disposal of waste?
(3) What role do we, as rural
citizens, have in restoring our
country’s values?
(4) Why are so many farmers
seeking off-farm employment?
The Farm Bureau discussion
meet competition is an excellent
way to sharpen leadership skills,
meet new people, and have fun.
As in past years, winners of the
state competition will receive a
cash award and SO hours use of a
Case IH Maxum Tractor, as well
as a chance to vie for national hon
ors. The national champion wins a
Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4x4 pick
up truck and his/her registra
tion fees waived for the 1995
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Following the general member
ship meeting Friday night, there
were vendors exhibiting Emu-re
lated products and a reception fea
turing Emu meat cooked four dif
ferent ways. Also set up was a
comparison taste test of Emu and
beef. The panel of tasters was se
lected at random from the audi
ence. There were only two out of
nine who correctly guessed which
was which. Chef Pete Heth of Col
lege Fund Emu Farm was a hit
with his wok preparation of the
Emu and beef taste samples.
Opinions?
Leadership Conference.
Past winners of New York
Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer
Discussion have come from all
across the state and include the
following; 1993: Peter Dueppen
giesser (Wyoming County); 1992;
Kurt Gehrke (Jefferson County);
1991: Christine Nellis (Montgom
ery County); 1990: John Mueller
(Ontario Co.); 1989: Dana Rud
gers (Wyoming County); 1988;
Mark Master (Cortland County);
1987: Kevin Grupe (Saratoga
County): 1986: Doug Young
(Cayuga County); 1985: Paul Her
rington (Rensselaer County).
For information on participat
ing, contact your county Farm
Bureau young farmer chairman or
call (518) 436-8495 for details.
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