Freshwater Shrimp On- Farm Demonstrations

      Freshwater shrimp culture has recently become increasingly popular in many temperate regions in the United States.  Current enterprise budgets, developed by the University of Kentucky's Department of Agriculture Economics, estimate net annual profits to range from $2000 to $5000.00 per acre.  Freshwater shrimp are believed to have great potential for diversification of Ohio farms.  They have a short growing season (June 1 - September 15th) that fits in well with other farm activities, require little labor (20 minutes/day feeding and one long harvest day), and occupy underutilized existing water resources. 

      The objectives of this study and demonstration were:

1. To determine the applicability of freshwater shrimp production research in Kentucky and other states to southern Ohio.
2. To evaluate the potential of freshwater shrimp as a sustainable cash- crop for southern Ohio farmers by determining production potential and exploring market opportunities.
3. To develop a framework for future on-farm demonstrations of non-traditional agricultural enterprises in southern Ohio utilizing a total team approach, which incorporates applied research and Extension education.
4. Provide cooperators with the assistance that they need to establish a sustainable enterprise.

      Each of the on-farm demonstration sites participating in this venture were to either provide or build a 1/4 to 1/2 acre pond on their farm.  All of the ponds were randomly assigned one of three treatments.  The three treatments consisted of:  16, 000 shrimp/ acre with no substrate; 24, 000 shrimp/ acre with no substrate; and 24, 000 shrimp/ acre with substrate.  Pond preparation began in April 2002.  All of the cooperating farmers' ponds were to be drained if full, limed if necessary and artificial substrate (snow or construction fencing) installed in the ponds randomly picked to have it.  The ponds will then be refilled in preparation for stocking June 10, 2002.  Shrimp were stocked when water temperatures were consistently above 65 degree F.  Cooperators were to feed shrimp twice a day for 100- 110 days.  Shrimp were harvested in September 2002, before water temperatures reached 60 degrees F.  The research trial sites also served as demonstration sites by being open for visits by other interested individuals and field days as arranged by their County Agents. 

      Production of shrimp lb./ acre, average size and feed conversion rates were documented.  Water quality, including dissolved oxygen content, temperature, pH and ammonia, were also monitored and recorded throughout the study.  All production costs including shrimp larvae for stocking, feed, utilities, equipment, supplies and hired labor were documented.  Operator hours invested in developing the physical facilities, feeding, harvesting and marketing were also documented.  Each cooperating farmer worked with the Agent and Shrimp Team to develop a successful marketing plan for their shrimp prior to harvest.  Various potential markets (such as local restaurants, fall festivals, farmers markets or Asian markets) were explored and developed, and sale price with total net profit were documented for each producer.  Cooperators kept all proceeds from the sale of their shrimp raised on their farm.

Rationale:

       Agricultural income in southern Ohio counties has declined in recent years.  The terrain of these Appalachian counties is more suitable for livestock grazing, woodland management, and small acreage- high value cropping than for large cash grain production.  Efforts to maintain a viable agricultural presence in the future must include the evaluation of several alternative small acreage opportunities, of which freshwater shrimp may be one.  There is a growing interest in freshwater shrimp culture, and on-farm trials are an effective way to evaluate the profitability of their culture as a sustainable agriculture enterprise in Ohio. 

General Information:

      The freshwater shrimp, or more properly freshwater prawn, is a member of a large group of freshwater crustaceans found in many parts of the world.  Most aquaculture efforts have concentrated on the Giant Malaysian Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, which is native to southern Asia.  Culture efforts in the U.S. were initiated in Hawaii in the 1960's, South Carolina in the 1970's, and Mississippi in the 1980's.  Despite these efforts, substantial concentrated production of this species has not developed.  However, over the past five years, interest in production of this animal has again increased due to higher demand for shrimp products, reduced supplies of shrimp (especially large sizes), and increases in production rates for freshwater shrimp based on new management and production practices.  Other factors producing increased interest in production include identified markets for fresh and live shrimp in inland locations, the growing trend among consumers wanting to know where their food was produced, and the discovery that freshwater shrimp actually grow more rapidly at cooler temperatures.

      Research on temperate culture of freshwater shrimp in the U.S. was initiated at Kentucky State University in 1990 and the results have led to the establishment of several operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.  During this time of development in other states, freshwater shrimp were not cultured in Ohio because the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) restricted their culture.  In 2000, the Ohio Aquaculture Association (OAA) worked with the ODNR to reevaluate the species and it was subsequently moved to the unrestricted aquaculture species list.  In 2001, several producers in Ohio successfully raised the first crops of freshwater shrimp.

      The most recent advancement in freshwater shrimp culture has been the ability to significantly improve production rates by the addition of artificial substrate to a pond.  Studies in Kentucky have shown that adding PVC construction fencing for substrate can significantly increase the pounds of shrimp produced per acre without reducing average size of shrimp.  These studies have also shown an improvement in feed conversion rates.  Shrimp are benthic animals that demonstrate territorial behavior.  Adding artificial substrates such as bird mesh netting or snow fencing to the ponds can substantially increase pond yields and improve survival. 

    Funds for this project were provided by the OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program and Ohio Sea Grant.

OSU Personnel Involved in the Project:

Joyce Brown, Athens County

Monadine Mattey, Pike County

Treva Williams, Scioto County

Joyce Shriner, Hocking County

Photography

Jodi Miller, Photographer, Communications and Technology

Duane Rigsby, Technology Coordinator, OSU South Centers

Extension 

Dave Mangione, District Specialist, Agriculture

Don Davis, Hocking County, Ag and Natural Resources Agent

Dave Dugan, Brown County, Ag and Natural Resources Agent

Hal Kneene, Meigs County, Ag and Natural Resources Agent

Dave Samples, Jackson County, Ag and Natural Resources Agent

Robin Stephenson, Adams County, Ag and Natural Resources Agent

OSU South Centers Staff

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, and Ohio State University’s Extension.

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