Harrell's Ostrich Ranch

    By Art Nadler

    You've heard the commercials for pork, referring to that "Other White Meat."And then there's the ad campaign of "What's for dinner? The answer, of course, being "beef."
    Don't be surprised if you soon begin hearing: "Ostrich-A Healthy Alternative to Red Meat."
    Huh?
    You heard it right.
    Ostrich.

    According to a USDA report, "Nutritional Value of Foods,"3 ounces of ostrich meat only has 97 calories, which is a lot less that chicken, 140 calories; turkey, 135 calories; beef, 205 calories and pork, 275 calories.

    Dennis and Joy Harrell decided to pursue the healthful benefits of Ostrich meat a few years ago when they and two other couples purchased birds for $8,500 a pair. When the Harrell's neighbors couldn't afford to house the long-legged trotters, they sort of inherited the birds. Within a short time, the Harrell's Ostrich Ranch was hatched. The ranch is located in Yerington, NV., on five acres. Today, the Harrells have 100 birds. It took two years before the Harrell's original pair of ostriches started laying eggs. During the first year the ranch was operational, a bacteria hit and 23 chicks died in two weeks. It looked like the Harrell's' ostrich business had stuck its head in the sand and was about to go belly up.

    "When you lose that many chicks, you lose a year because it takes that long to raise them again,"Joy Harrell says. But the couple persisted by selling ostrich steaks ($9.80 a pound) and salami ($7 a pound) at county fairs, food festivals, rodeos, craft shows and in the Reno Butcher Boy and Blue Bounty Fish stores.

    Besides these food products, the Harrells make Ostrich skin wallets, purses and belts. They've also contracted with a company in Texas to craft western boots. In 1999, the entrepreneurs made $45,000. Unfortunately, Joy still has to work another job to make ends meet. Eventually, the couple hopes the ranch will become their primarily source of income.

    Ostrich meat is red like beef, similar in flavor but has 40 percent less fat. The meat is currently a popular item in exclusive European and American restaurants "This is our seventh year in business,"Joy Harrell says. "We spent six months just getting our USDA government approval."

    For information contact:
    Dennis and Joy Harrell, Harrell's Ostrich Ranch, 55 Miley Road, Yerington, NV. 89447. Phone: (775) 463-3541. Fax: (775) 463-2575. E-mail: [email protected].