O’GIFT invites partners for farm
testing of improved yellow perch
O’GIFT (Ohio Genetic Improvement of Farmed-fish Traits)
Program has its first generation of genetically improved yellow perch.
On-station tests show that
the two improved lines from 2006 grow 39.8% and 18.3% faster than
unimproved fish. This year we will develop several lines of improved fish.
In order to disseminate the research results to farmers, we plan to conduct
on-farm evaluations and demonstrations of improved strains on 3-6 farms
in different geographic locations from this year onward.
The participants are required to have two ponds or four ponds
(better) to raise the improved fish side by side with the same size and age
fingerlings from their own sources. Farmers can participate for one growing
season, or a full two growing seasons until fish reach market size (which we
prefer) using our protocol guidelines. The OSU Aquaculture program will
provide feed-trained improved fingerlings to selected farms that agree to
sign a Memo of Understanding explaining the research protocols to follow and
the final distribution of said fish. By the end of test, we expect to
collect weight, length and production data from each pond, and OSU will
expect to keep the very largest 100-150 fish (for future broodstock
development) from each of the ponds stocked with our improved fish. The
remaining fish will be the property of the farm owner. If you are
interested in participation, please contact Dr. Hanping Wang at
wang900@ag.osu.edu or Mr. Geoff Wallat
at wallat1@ag.osu.edu. Phone 740-289-2071, or toll free in Ohio,
800-297-2072.
