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THE PIONEERS' NEW FRONTIER, EMU IOWA'S NEWEST LIVESTOCK
Emus are hardy animals and do well in the cold climate extremes we experience in Iowa, Minnesota, & Canada. The commercial Emu is a totally used product. Leather, oil, meat, feathers, toenails and beaks are all marketed as value-added emu products. A native of Australia, Emu's are the world's second largest living member of the Ratite family of flightless birds standing between 5 and 6 feet tall and weigh 110 to 130 pounds. A stout-bodied animal, they can dash away at speeds up to 40 mph. Their cousins include the ostrich, rhea, cassowary, and kiwi. Although a fowl, the Emu possesses a delicious ruby red meat that visually resembles beef. However, in testing for cholesterol, fat, calories, etc., it is very clear that it is a member of the fowl family. In 100 grams of meat there are about 39-69.1 mg of cholesterol; 2.4% of fat; and 113-127 calories, all of which are equal to or less than chicken. These factors. coupled with the beef like taste, are reasons why many restaurants are now beginning to offer this new heart-healthy meat as a delicious alternative. Many emu ranchers are utilizing small areas to raise emu. The typical enclosure for an adult pair may be 20 ft. by 100 ft. This is an efficient use of small parcels of land too small to economically raise any other barnyard animal.

Numerical differences in offspring is perhaps the key reason for the intense interest exhibited by the U.S. ranchers/farmers. Where as cattle have one offspring per year, the Emu geometrically reproduces. The Emu hen typically begins to lay at two years of age laying from 20 to 40+ emerald green eggs per year when managed in a farm/ranch setting. The eggs are laid once every 3 days usually around sunset and hatch after 50 days. Their laying season depends on the individual bird but typically begins in early fall and lay until late spring.

The Emu has a feed conversion ratio of about 4.5/1. A typical bird will consume an average of less than 2 lbs. of feed per day. A quality Ratite feed is readily available through many large local feed companies.

C'mon Back Acres is a humble little operation based on 10 acres. Our purpose is to further this new agricultural industry by producing quality breeder and commercial stock at competitive prices. Our intent is to give personal and individual support to the beginning rancher as well as the seasoned rancher/farmer. We are members of the Iowa Emu Association and the American Emu Association. We carry a full line of value-added emu products which include cosmetics, meat products and leather products.