Aquaponics Digest - Sun 09/23/01
Message 1: Re: Aquatic biomass
from CAVM 'at' aol.com
Message 2: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
from "Gene Batten"
Message 3: Re: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
from "gutierrez-lagatta"
Message 4: Re: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
from "Gene Batten"
| Message 1
Subject: Re: Aquatic biomass
From: CAVM 'at' aol.com
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 09:09:57 EDT
Ted, We should figure out a way to harness your energy and the rest of us
could go on vacation.
For CO2 in water, how about it we run the flue gas from a biomass heating
system through the water? This way we clean the flue gas, heat the water and
provide CO2.
Huge amounts of energy are readily available in the form of heat from a great
variety of biomass no matter what your location.
Cornelius A. Van Milligen
Kentucky Enrichment Inc
CAVM 'at' AOL.com
| Message 2
Subject: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
From: "Gene Batten"
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 12:32:01 -0400
Here is a question for the group.
Which would be the best crop choice for a small closed circuit commercial
aquaponics business that raises tilapia and some commercial hydroponic crop
in a greenhouse?
1. lettuce
2. herbs (which ones?)
3. cut flowers (which ones?)
4. vegetables (which?)
5. something else (what?)
6. a combination of the above (which?)
I am researching the possibility of starting a small commercial aquaponics
business where I raise tilapia and some hydroponic crop. I realize that the
choice of crop will depend on several variables and I expect that list
members will express a wide variety of opinions.
When I say "best" choice, I am thinking about more than just "most
profitable". I am really thinking about "most consistently profitable" and
not so difficult to raise or market.
In my research so far, I have formed the opinion that there is no obvious
"best choice" when it comes to choosing a crop. It appears that some people
are doing well with lettuce, while others are successful with herbs or cut
flowers. Maybe a combination would be the best way to go. In the end, it is
probably a personal decision based on local conditions and personal
interests.
I would welcome a discussion of the factors and considerations associated
with choosing a crop along with the success or failure stories of others. As
a group, we will probably not agree on the choices. However, it would be
helpful to "newbies" like me to hear the opinions and experiences of others.
Thanks,
Gene Batten
| Message 3
Subject: Re: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
From: "gutierrez-lagatta"
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 14:37:14 -0500
Gene,
There is no single right answer to this - it really boils down to what
you can sell. Marketing, marketing, and marketing is what this is all
about. Another parameter to consider is whether you want to sell
wholesale or retail. For example if you have a buyer it may be
profitable, to grow herbs for sale to produce wholesalers in your
area. You may find that it is NOT profitable to do only herbs if you
want to deliver directly to restaurants because the average size of
each order will generally not be large enough to make it profitable.
In this case you either need to diversify into other products, such as
salad greens, cucumbers and tomatoes in order to increase the
avererage value of each order to make it worth your while.
It also depends on competition - are there any local herb, grees,
vegetable, flower growers in your area? In that case you may not want
to competete head to head if you can concentrate on another area.
My suggestion is that you do some very basic market research once you
have a prototype system up and running. It REALLY helps to have
something to show when you go visit them. I would grow some basil in
a prototype system which will provide a superb example of the
excellent quality that you can produce. Then:
1. Find out who is the best produce wholesaler in town and if
possible, go visit him, show him your basil and explain that you are
doing market research prior to setting up a greenhouse. Ask
specifically about:
- Basil
- Chives
- Arugula
- Watercress
- Hydro lettuce
- European cucumbers
- Other greens and herbs
Where do they get it, how much do they buy a week, how much are they
paying, how is it packaged are they happy with the quality and
availability. If they could get any of those locally would they be
willing to buy from you? Stress that you would deliver the product
the same day that it is cut. Because you are local they get better,
fresher product year-round and probably can reduce their inventory
level and losses due to waste and spoilage. Intially just gather
informaation about price, it may be possible further on down the road
to sell for a higher tprice than they are currently paying if the
quality and shrinkage are demonstrably better.
2. Conduct a similar interview with a couple of chefs - sometimes it
is hard to make an appointment. If you do show up witgh sample in
hand be sure to do it between 8-11 am or 2-4:30 pm, when they are not
in the thick of meal preparation.
3. Conduct a similar interview with a couple of florists -
concentrate on varieties which have a poor shelf life when they are
shipped in from out of the area. I have heard that snapdragons are
one flower in this category.
4. Find out who grows what locally - are there any other local
greenhouse growers? Any locally grown seasonal farm products?
5. Are there any food processing plants in your area? A call to
their buyer may be interesting.
6. Supermarkets are yet another sector with a whole different set of
needs - smaller packaging for herbs which requires good packing area,
UPC codes, frequent deliveries and lots of in-store service. BUT if
they are unhappy with their supplier and it is a niche you can fill
this may be the way to go. In addition to herbs (or as alternatives)
you could sell them cucumbers or lettuce.
7. I would stay away from tomatoes - the Dutch get some great
subsidies from their government which makes it almost impossible to be
profitable - just check to see how many Crop King growers bail out
after a couple of years and many $thousands invested
The decision also has to do with your personal preferences in terms of
working environment. Do you enjoy schmoozing with chefs and selling?
If not you may want to stay away from institutional and go with
wholesale
. Do you like constantly experimenting with a wide variety
of crops or would you prefer to concentrate on producing one or two in
loarger quantitites?
Adriana
> Which would be the best crop choice for a small closed circuit
commercial
> aquaponics business that raises tilapia and some commercial
hydroponic crop
> in a greenhouse?
> 1. lettuce
> 2. herbs (which ones?)
> 3. cut flowers (which ones?)
> 4. vegetables (which?)
>In the end, it is
> probably a personal decision based on local conditions and personal
> interests.
| Message 4
Subject: Re: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
From: "Gene Batten"
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 15:54:28 -0400
Adriana,
WOW! Thanks for the great advice. I "snipped" most of it below so this
posting would not be so long. I have added your email response to my "save"
file. I know your advice is on target and your email will make a great
"check list" of things to do and consider.
I look forward to hearing "success stories" and "bad experiences" from list
members about their crops.
.Gene Batten
----- Original Message -----
From: "gutierrez-lagatta"
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: Which is best Aquaponics crop?
> Gene,
> There is no single right answer to this - it really boils down to what
> you can sell. Marketing, marketing, and marketing is what this is all
> about. Another parameter to consider is whether you want to sell
> wholesale or retail.
--SNIP -----
>
> The decision also has to do with your personal preferences in terms of
> working environment. Do you enjoy schmoozing with chefs and selling?
> If not you may want to stay away from institutional and go with
> wholesale
. Do you like constantly experimenting with a wide variety
> of crops or would you prefer to concentrate on producing one or two in
> loarger quantitites?
>
> Adriana
>
>
|
