World Aquaculture 51 NADF ponds: One of the goals of the UWSP-NADF is to investigate and promote aquaculture in a northern climate. Pond culture is especially challenging with shortened growing seasons. (Photo: Chris Hartleb, University of WisconsinStevens Point) Yellow perch feed training harvest: Fish farmers actively participate in workshops that are based on fish farmer generated topics. (Photo: Chris Hartleb) Extension Associate Sathyanand Kumaran fastens a pH logger to a wire cage protecting a floating net with bioassay fish in the baitfish verification trials. (Photo: Nathan Stone, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) ated these programs to verify and demonstrate researchbased recommendations for farmers to improve yields, feed conversion ratios, and survival resulting in lower on-farm costs. These two programs, the Catfish Research Verification and the Golden Shiner Research Verification Programs, are classic examples of the demonstration project that Seaman Knapp endorsed in the late 19th century. The UAPB researchers and Cooperative Extension agents, in collaboration with commercial producers in Arkansas, are conducting public demonstrations of new, research-based production practices that have been shown to improve production on a small scale and are now implementing and demonstrating these practices on a commercial scale to verify their value. These trials have led to specific production recommendations with respect to pond size, water source, water quality, aeration, stocking rates, feeding methods, harvesting techniques and health management. The program focuses heavily on farmers maintaining adequate production and economic records. For additional information on the UAPB Aquaculture Verification Programs, please visit the following URL: http://www.uaex.edu/aquaculture. Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Project The Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Project, administered by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), is conducted through the Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF) that is located on the Red Cliff Indian Reservation in Wisconsin. The facility and related programs target the needs of the commercial aquaculture industry in the northern US as well as public-sector aquaculture producers such a federal, state and tribal fish hatcheries. The NADF, officially dedicated on June 2, 2006, is a classic partnership between the UWSP, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service, the Red Cliff Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa and other stakeholders. The facility and related programs are designed to conduct applied research, education, outreach/extension and aquaculture demonstration projects. The program’s focus is unique to the many challenges created by the cold climates found in the northern US. The stated mission of the program is to “promote and advance the development of commercial aquaculture in a northern climate.” Aquaculture research conducted at the NADF and new, science-based information on fish culture in cold climates is demonstrated on a commercial scale. Results of applied research projects are disseminated to commercial producers by demonstrating new technologies and by providing outreach and technology transfer services directly to the fish farmers. The facility also provides educational opportunities to local high school, technical college, and university students and staff. The program has produced electronic and written aquaculture extension materials that focus upon many key factors constraining growth of the aquaculture
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjExNDY=