The processes needed to bring ostriches to market have been validated to ensure optimally cost-effective, quality output of meat products. Final tests were successful with regard to a number of ranches' evaluation criteria. Results are available if the need to know is indicated for proprietary information. Testing was conducted during 4 years using Lulu's Ostrich Ranch facilities. Volume testing will be accomplished by 1998 via 2,000 birds.
Ongoing testing is recommended for all ostrich products prior to volume testing.
Ostrich meats and hides are expected to be ready for market within a year following the startup of our ostrich plant. Because marketing will be a large expense and because it is where much of our effort will be applied, focus on our customer is a very important criterion. The idea will be to keep our customers forever by continuously offering them a valuable product, thereby diminishing our costs of reaching and appealing to them. Wise product selection therefore will be critical to Lulu's Ostrich Ranch's success. We at Lulu's Ostrich Ranch realize that the cost of development projects will be increasingly expensive.