Desert Palms Emu Ranch is located in The Valley of the Sun near Phoenix, Arizona.
Deb and Gary Henson have two acres where they keep 11 breeding pairs of emus.
They started out with the purchase of one pair in 1994, and it has grown a lot
by "working at it seven days a week, 365 days a year!" Says Deb. She
explains that their property is unique from many others because "all the
pens were built on irrigated pasture and because the city has grown in around
us, we are no longer out in the country."

When the Henson's first started in the emu-raising business in 1994, they already
had some things going for them. Their ranch was used as horse property at one
time, so there was three-stall barn with attached living quarters already there.
They keep the young chicks in the stalls in the barn and provide them with heat.
They also store their feed and miscellaneous equipment in the barn. Then they
use the living quarters to house incubators, hatchers, and brooder boxes. Deb
uses another room in the living quarters for her showroom, where she displays
her products.

Their main focus is on the meat and the oil that comes from emus, but the Henson's
have found a market for many other emu products. They process the birds there,
and also sell the meat directly from their ranch. The fat that they get from
emus is sent to Texas A &M University, where it is rendered and refined
to pharmaceutical standards. They save the feathers, which are bagged and sold
as they are. After the meat, fat, feather, and hide are saved, the rest of the
carcass is sold to dog groups who feed raw meat to their dogs. Lastly, a local
nursery uses the manure for fertilizer.

The Hensons only raise enough chicks to keep their supply of oil and meat up
to where the want it, making sure they have enough for the products they carry.

Taking Care of the Emus

The Hensons' operation has worked well for them over the years, and they intend
to continue to use those same methods. Their breeding pens measure 20' by 100',
with a three-sided tin shelter at one end with automatic waterers inside. At
the other end, the feeders are located under a top shelter for protection. They
have their feed shipped in from California, where they've found just the right
mixture for their birds. The dry climate in Arizona keeps the insect population
from becoming a problem.

In spite of the long hours and hard work, Deb and Gary find rewards in what
they do. "What keeps me going is knowing I have made a difference in someone's
life," says Deb. "The phone calls, the letters, and the hugs from
customers thanking me for what emu oil has done to improve the quality of their
life is my reward. The fact that I make my living from it is secondary."

Marketing Strategy

Deb grew up around farming and ranching. Raising emu is her and her husband's
first venture into agriculture themselves. She kept her nose to the proverbial
grindstone when they first began. "I started out building my customer base
by setting up a booth at local events, which I continue to do today. I currently
attend around 26 events a year.,: She kept at it by visiting health stores,
massage therapists, and other similar establishments, and now has over 30 retail
places that she keeps supplied. Deb speaks at various support groups for illnesses
such as fibromyalgia, lupus, etc., and is involved with the State Agriculture
Department and the Country Farm Bureau. She also writes for the local papers,
and has had over 18 articles printed about her farm. "I do whatever I can
to get exposure and let people know about he industry and its benefits,"
Deb Says.

The Primary benefit of the Hensons's emu operation is the oil and their line
of all-natural skin care and pain management products. This is "the bread
and butter of the emu industry," says Deb. A chemist works with Deb on
product development, and manufactures all the skin care and pain management
precuts for the Hensons.

Deb Henson views the emu business as a "viable, long-standing industry,"
but also sees a need for more emu producers. In order for more people to get
into production, there needs to be more profitability, which means an even greater
need for national and international markets. Emu oil is an excellent product
with many exceptional qualities. It is Deb's hope that more research will be
done in this area to tap into even more of the potential in the oil.

Over the years not much has changed in the operation procedures at the Henson's
Ranch. We found what works for us and have kept to that." However, they
have seen huge changes in the market and in consumer acceptance of the products
they offer from the emu. As a small emu operation goes, things are going very
well for Desert Palms Emu Ranch.

Excerpted from “Emu Today & Tomorrow”