Sounds of emu prosperity growing

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Buddy Williams calls to an emu at his Atlanta farm. Williams, as well as other emu growers, are excited about future emu-product sales, which in turn could raise emu bird prices. -Staff photo by Montgomery

May 16, 2002 -- Imagine the sounds of a tom-tom drum beating out a message -- a sound similar to the throaty vocals made by a female emu.

Tom-tom, tom-tom, tom-tom.

Buddy Williams, of Atlanta, loves to hear the tom-tom sound because he loves emus and believes in the product line derived from the leggy bird.

The drumming could be getting louder as a new (or revitalized) emu market is hatching.

A recent, great increase in emu oil sales, as well as other emu products, has given encouragement to many producers.

Jack McClung, an Oklahoma businessman, is blanketing the airwaves with mass infomercials about Blue Stuff®. Blue Stuff's ingredients include emu oil. Blue Stuff, Inc. began three years ago in Oklahoma City.

"Business is booming with sales of 15 million for the month of April. The infomercials feature people, not paid individuals, who have used the product and swear that it has helped them with pain relief, burns, and insect bites. The product is also being endorsed by several professional athletes. Projections show that a year from now sales will be $100 million a month," according to McClung who spoke at a May 4 multi-state agriculture convention.

With this news, emu producers have seen increases in their product sales also. Many producers are distributors of Blue Stuff but also distribute their own products.

The emu market was a thriving industry in the '80s, with breeder pairs selling anywhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 and higher. But, with no real market for the bird, people began to loose hope. Birds were destroyed. Some were turned loose to roam wild or given away.

"My wife Nancy and I bought our first pair of breeders for $18,000 eight years ago. I went into the emu industry to raise and sell birds. I quickly realized that I could hatch and raise a lot of birds on very small acreage," Williams said. "but I also realized that there wasn't a market for the birds. I never invisioned selling emu products (pure oil, lotion, analgesic), but I had to build a market for these birds."

The first year in business, Williams' hen laid 33 eggs. Twenty eggs proved fertile resulting in 20 emu chicks.

"I was excited to have that many chicks the first year," Williams said. "Now with McClung's advertising campaign, producers can again start raising birds. We have a market."

McClung will need help making that $100 million in sales, that's were the emu producer can help. Without oil, Blue Stuff can not be made.

At the recent emu meeting in Texarkana, McClung stated he needs birds.

"I am wanting to purchase emu chicks at three months of age for $55. These birds will be sent to a grow-out facility where they will be possessed at around 18 months of age," McClung said. "Ranchers will need to sign a contract and deliver the birds to our facility. Birds will have to be NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) certified, and individuals will have to meet the necessary cross-state regulations. "

McClung is in the process of purchasing 3,600 acres near Eufaula, Okla. This land will be designated for the grow-out facility and other companies associated with processing the bird.

"We will be able to use every part of the bird including the four pounds (normally considered) waste," McClung added.

Williams said now is an excellent time to get into the emu business for little money.

"As everyone knows, birds are nowhere near the price as when I bought them. You can get a good breeder pair between the price of $200 and $4,000. There is a man down around Houston that has 3,000 birds, but he won't sell to McClung because he is hoping for the breeder market," Williams said. "Now, if the breeder market takes off, he will make a fortune. I don't have any birds to sell, but this time next year I will.

"As far as getting into the business, an individual could probably get started with around $5,000 and 1/2 acre of land. The most expensive thing will be the pens. I use five-foot horse wire around my pens. Others may use hog wire," he continued.

"I know there are a lot of naysayers that still consider emu oil as just another snake oil. I try not to argue that point. I just ask that people try it (oil) for themselves and prove themselves wrong. Whether it is my product or any of the other products on the market, emu oil works," Williams said.

The emu business is a family affair for Williams. His son, Tommy, bought a pair of birds early on, and son, Russell, helps around the farm.

Erin, Russell's 8-year-old daughter, says she likes the emu oil best. "I like the oil because it takes the hurt out of fire ant bites."

William's company, NET International Inc., has its own products: pure oil, hand and body lotion, and emucin.

"Emucin is my product that is similar to Blue Stuff. It has a lot of heat to it. I can apply it and it burns me up. Nancy, my wife, loves it and it doesn't burn her," Williams said.

Emucin sells for $19.95 for four ounces; pure oil is $19.95; and the hand and body lotion is $11.95.

"We are in R&D (research and development) and are proud of our product line 'Soft as Silk'," Williams said.

For more information about Williams and his Big Oaks Emu Farm, contact him at (903)796-9480 or email emuman7765@aol.com.

Information about Blue Stuff, Inc. can be found at www.bluestuff.com or by calling (405)917-6161.

"I never get tired of talking emu," Williams replied, "so if anyone wants to visit, just give me a call. Meanwhile I'll keep listening to the tom-tom drums and living in my Indian village."