Jan 11
25
Building An Ostrich Farming Business Plan
The basic principles for constructing an ostrich farming business plan are the same for any business. The challenge comes in identifying the unique aspects of ostrich farming that differentiate this new business from other businesses. Developing an ostrich farming business plan should follow these same basic principles but yet be sure it understands the unique aspects of the markets they are entering into.
Business Plan Components
The first place to start is developing the marketing plan. The marketing plan defines the markets and establishes their requirements. Once those are known and understood, it is possible to commence development of the operational plan.
The next stage is to define the stages of development required to meet those requirements identified in the marketing and operational plans. To build the development plan successfully it is necessary to define a number of activities such as:
• Management Structure
• Speed of growth of business
• Size and scope of business
• Understand and set production assumptions
• Develop Timelines for each activity
• Product Development
• Development of Infrastructure
• Source of Foundation Livestock/Eggs
• Identify Potential Joint Venture Partnerships
• Establish Strategic Partnerships
• Develop Training Program
The various activities required to transition the development plan will need to be identified. Activities such as:
• Feed Program to include such things as:
- Rations Requirements
- Ingredient Sourcing
- Feed Manufacture
- Distribution
• Breeder Farm
• Incubation
• Chick Rearing and Finishing
• Biosecurity Considerations
• How will the birds be
- Slaughtered
- Processed
• Transport (feed, people, birds etc)
• Identifying your final products and understanding the markets for each
- Are you selling genetics [ostrich eggs, chicks, breeders]
- Are you selling slaughter birds
- Are you selling products of the birds [ostrich meat, ostrich feathers, ostrich skins]
- Or a combination of all
• What will be your routes to Market for each of the products
• Distribution of those products
Once all of these aspects are quantified, then it is possible to develop the Financial Plan. The financial plan must include budgets for the business; develop the time lines for cash flow to establish the capital and working capital requirements for the new business of ostrich farming. Identifying the many aspects for development of the markets illustrates how it all starts with the Production on the Farm….we need that production to have ostrich products to sell – that production, in ostrich farming terms, must be reliable and producing birds at the right price.
