2013 forum - commercial aquaponics
DESCRIPTION
commercial aquaponicsTRANSCRIPT
Commercial Aquaponics
Ken Semmens Matthew Ferrell
Examples – “Business Model”
Production System
University of the Virgin Islands Recirculating Aquaculture System
Flowing Water System at Reymann Memorial Farm
This presentation is intended to help you understand
more about aquaponics on a commercial scale.
Rob Nash
Commercial system
Started as tilapia, but it was found to energy intensive in the winter
Sells at local farmers market, contracts with restaurants
2-3 dollars a head lettuce, sells kale, peppers, and tomato's as well
Brings lettuce still attached to net pots and roots
His farmers market activities drive system sales
Business Model Restaurant, Farm Market, System Sales
Nate Story- Zip Grow Towers
Commercial Vertical system
Aim is to locate very close to city markets
Sell live products in store
Use as much space as possible within grow house
At one point used tilapia, but has moved on to non food fish
Business Model Retail and System Sales
Marc Laberge from Quebec (http://www.cultures-aquaponiques.com/team.htm).
He raises rainbow trout and lettuce. He sells about $1000 worth of smoked trout a week and 6,800 heads of lettuce. He has survived for 8 years just doing production. Now he sells franchises.
Business Model Off the farm, grocery, and franchises
Green Acre Aquaponics
Based on modified UVI system
Been in operation 3 years
Supplement their organic wholesale food and CSA products
Large percent of income directly related to their teaching. Commercial guide cost $995
Classes are $1295 per person
Business Model Wholesale , CSA , tours and education
Growhaus - Variation on the UVI Design
Hybrid System
25% Beds with substrate
75% Rafts
Plants primary
Fish secondary
Tilapia
Fingerlings
Tilapia grow out
Settle solid waste
Substrate
Reservoir
1st raft channel
2nd raft channel
3rd raft channel
Pump
Growhaus - Denver
Tilapia
Fingerlings
Tilapia grow out
Settle solid waste
Substrate
Reservoir
1st raft channel
2nd raft channel
3rd raft channel
Pump
Growhaus - Denver
Will Allen’s Growing Power
Is a multi disciple agriculture learning center
Aquaponics is a small part of the system
Charge for tours and sell produce
Use mostly volunteer labor and “internships”
Many paid positions are grant funded or through Americorps.
Business Models Nonprofit, Educational and Agri-tourism
After School Matters Allen Foundation Andrah Foundation, Ruth Knoll Anonymous Family Foundation Bayshore Community
Foundation Fund Bradshaw Knight Foundation Brewers Community
Foundation, Inc. Brico Fund Bruce and Muriel Hach
Scientific Foundation C.G. Schmidt Construction
Company Ceres Foundation Chicago Community Trust,
Searle Family Fund Chicago Department of Family
and Support Services Chicago Police Department
Force for Good Chicago State University
Foundation City of Chicago Community
Development Grants Administration
City of Milwaukee, Community Development Grants Administration
Clif Bar Family Foundation Community Benefit Trust Fund Cream City Foundation -
Joseph R. Pabst LGBT Infrastructure Fund
Critical Mass Leadership Education
Dagoba Organic Chocolate David & Julia Uihlein
Charitable Foundation Farm Aid First Unitarian Society of
Milwaukee GE Foundation Matching Gifts The Goggio Family Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Henry & Mary Franke Idea Fund
Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Frank Kirkpatrick Fund
Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Kopmeier Family Fund
Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Walter and Olive Stiemke Fund
Green Bay Packers Foundation H.H. Camp Foundation Headwaters Foundation for
Justice – Young Donors Circle Fund
Business Model Nonprofit - contributors
Helen Bader Foundation Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation JPMorgan Chase Foundation J.R. Albert Foundation Kohl’s Stores A-Team LaSalle Bank Lawson Valentine Foundation L.E. Phillips Family Foundation, Inc. Liberty Property Trust Linda and Jock Mutschler
Foundation Lubar Family Foundation - Sheldon
& Marianne Lubar Charitable Fund Manaaki Foundation Medical College of Wisconsin,
Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program
Meshewa Farm Foundation Miller Brewing Company Milwaukee Area Workforce
Investment Board Milwaukee County Community
Development Block Grant National Education Association
Foundation Northwestern Mutual Foundation Patrick and Anna Cudahy Fund Parkways Foundation Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
Foundation Rotary Club of Mitchell Field
Charitable Foundation Scott’s Miracle Grow Service Club of Milwaukee Silver Spring Neighborhood Center St. Pius Congregation State of Wisconsin Office of Energy
Independence The 11-10-02 Foundation The Barnwood Foundation The Cleveland Foundation The Community Foundation
Serving Boulder County The E-Z Coffee Stand The Gardner Foundation The J.M. Kaplan Fund The John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation The McCormick Foundation
The Monches Foundation The Robert R. McCormick
Foundation The Seed Fund University of Wisconsin Extension USA for Africa US Environmental Protection
Agency Environmental Justice Grants Program
USDA Community Food Projects USDA Farmers Market Promotion
Program The following businesses and
individuals have contributed their time, money, and materials:
Growing Power's Board of Director's and the Chicago Advisory Board for their guidance and generosity with their time
Will Allen, Milwaukee
Business Model Nonprofit - contributors
Alterra Coffee Avec, Chicago Blackbird, Chicago Bleeding Heart Bakery,
Chicago Breadsmith Bakery,
Milwaukee Columbia College, Chicago Dagoba Organic Chocolate Dave Ditscheit, Milwaukee First Slice Cafe, Chicago Floriole Bakery, Chicago Fraiche Kitchen, Chicago Get Me Greg's, Chicago Gino's Deli & Catering,
Milwaukee Goodness Greeness,
Chicago
Joan Jacobs, Milwaukee Jonathan’s Bagel,
Milwaukee Lakefront Brewery,
Milwaukee Kitchen Chicago, Chicago Magilo's Produce,
Milwaukee Elizabeth Malone,
Milwaukee Arthur Marburg,
Milwaukee Marcus Corporation,
Milwaukee Outpost Cooperative,
Milwaukee The Publican, Chicago Red Hen Bread, Chicago Seedling Fruit, Michigan
Sendik's Grocery, Milwaukee
The Signature Room, Chicago
The Simple Soyman, Milwaukee
Sprecher Brewery, Milwaukee
Sunday Dinner, Chicago Dave Swanson, Milwaukee Vella Cafe, Chicago Whole Foods, Chicago Wild Flour Bakery,
Milwaukee
Business Model Nonprofit - contributors
Currently aquaponics is a viable business that seems to require diversification of products and services.
It is difficult, though possible, to run a farm with revenue from the produce alone.
Take home message:
Reymann Memorial Farm (WVU) Cold Flowing Water System
Wardensville, WV
Spring Trout
Raceway
Aquaponic Channel
with rafts
Polishing Pond
Discharge to Stream
Cold Flowing Water System
Facility Components at Reymann Memorial Farm
Plants adapted to cool root zone: • Watercress • Lettuce • Swiss Chard • Kale • Kohlrabi • Broccoli • Cabbage • Nasturtium • Calendula • Dianthus • Mums
Greenhouse
High Tunnel
Nutrient levels low, do not accumulate
Seeking to determine what grows well and rates of production
First goal - product value, second goal - improve water quality.
More information on this work covered in Research Update part of today’s program.
Reymann Memorial Farm (WVU)
UVI -best known, most well researched aquaponic production system
Diagram from Recirculating Aquaculture Systems by Timmons et al 2002, pg 637. NRAC pub 01-002
Slides from Plant Production Presentation at the 2012
Aquaponics Association Meeting
James Rakocy,
PhD
Director/Consultant of The Aquaponics Doctors http://theaquaponicsdoctors.com/
Formerly:
AES Director, Professor of Aquaculture at University of the Virgin Islands
Pioneered Aquaponics research and development.
Nutrients Required for Plant Growth
Macronutrients
– C Carbon*
– O Oxygen*
– H Hydrogen*
– N Nitrogen
– K Potassium**
– Ca Calcium**
– Mg Magnesium
– P Phosphorus
– S Sulfur
Micronutrients
– Cl Chlorine
– Fe Iron**
– Mn Manganese
– B Boron
– Zn Zinc
– Cu Copper
– Mo Molybdenum
* Supplied by CO2 and H2O ** Must be supplemented
Rakocy 2012
Production Methods
Staggered
Allows weekly harvests
Facilitates market development
Maintains uniform nutrient uptake
Batch
Easier management
Can deplete nutrients
Rakocy 2012
Seedling Production
Greenhouse or shade house
Protected area
Keep it clean
Metal tables
Install drain if concrete floor
Weed barrier if gravel floor
Planting media and dead plant material can harbor
insects and disease
Rakocy 2012
Planting Media
Soilless potting mix
Coir (coconut fibers) + Vermiculite
60% + 40% mix
Free from pythium
Requires fertilizer supplementation
Labor required to prepare mix
Rakocy 2012
Planting Media
Peat potting mix (i.e. Promix BX)
– Inexpensive
– Readably available
– Contains micronutrients for seedling growth
– Can have pythium spores
Jiffy peat pellets
– Expensive
– Easy to use
– Can have pythium spores
Oasis root cubes
– Expensive
– Requires additional nutrients
– Dries out quickly in greenhouse
Rockwool
– Expensive
– Non-biodegradable
Rakocy 2012
Seedling Production Fill flat with mix
Seed at required depth for plant variety
Automatic seeder for small and surface planted seeds
Cover flat until seeds germinate
Many seeds germinate better in the dark
Keeps mice from stealing seeds
Keeping covered too long causes seedlings to elongate
and have weak stems
Water as needed
Some seeds prefer dryer conditions than others
Use mist nozzle for first week
Fertilize 2-3 times weekly Rakocy 2012
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Watering Equipment
Hozon Siphon Mixer
– 1:16 proportioning device
Rakocy 2012
NPK Nitrogen, Potassium,
Phosphorous
N - Nitrogen - shoots
P - Phosphorous - roots
K - Potassium - flowers and fruit
Use 9-45-15 for seedling production
– Promotes strong root formation
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Deep Flowing Channels
Six channels
100 ft x 4 ft x 16 in
Total water volume
18,000 gallons
3 hr retention time
72 rafts
8 ft x 4 ft
Growing area
2304 ft2
100 ft x 4 ft x 16 in
– 72 Rafts
2.4 m x 1.2 m x 3.8 cm
(8 ft x 4 ft x 1.5 in)
214 m2 surface area
(2,304 ft2)
Rakocy 2012
Raft Preparation Closed-cell polystyrene (Dow blue board, not
scored)
Dow Styrofoam® Square Edge Extruded
4 ft x 8 ft x 1.5 in
Paint
White, latex, non-toxic, roof paint
Plant holes – 1.87 in
Use template for spacing
Spacing varies for vegetable variety
Net pots: 2 in x 2 in Rakocy 2012
Rakocy 2012
Production Management pH maintained at 7.0
KOH
Ca(OH)2
Chelated iron
2 ppm (mg/liter)
Chelated iron is 13% pure so multiply by 7.7
(i.e., 15.4 mg of product gives 2 mg of iron)
Manage net tanks with cleaning schedule to control nitrate levels
Biological pest control
Integrated pest management Rakocy 2012
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Lettuce
High nitrogen levels promotes leafy growth
Short production cycle generates steady
cash flow
Strong demand
Rakocy 2012
Lettuce Production Cycle
Greenhouse Phase
Week 1
– Day 0: seed
Week 2
– Day 7: thin flat
– Day 7, 10, 13: fertilize
Week 3
– Day 14, 16, 19:
fertilize
Aquaponic System Phase
Week 4
– Day 21: transplant to
aquaponic system
– Day 23, 26: spray with BT
Week 5
– Day 30, 33: Spray with BT
Week 6
– Day 37, 40: Spray with BT
Week 7
– Day 42, 45: Spray with BT
– Day 49: Harvest
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Rakocy 2012
Lettuce Harvest Procedures Move sheets with mature plants to one end of the raft
Lift sheets to harvesting stand or harvest in place
Cut off lettuce stalk with a sharp knife and remove
lower poor quality leaves
Discard any poor quality lettuce
Pack 24 lettuce heads to a box
Weigh several randomly selected boxes minus the
empty box weight to calculate total harvest weight and
average weight per head of lettuce.
Count box to determine total lettuce number and
percentage of marketable yield
Rakocy 2012
Lettuce Harvest Procedures Lettuce that is not distributed immediately should
be stored in a moist refrigerated room
Surface of the sheets should be washed with
dechlorinated water to remove any dead leaves
and quickly returned to hydroponic tanks
Plants roots and growing media should be
removed from net pots and discarded
Cleaned net pots should be disinfected by soaking
them in water containing bleach, rinsed and then
dried before they are used again.
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Lettuce Production Values Type Romaine Crisphead Leaf Bibb
Variety Parris
Island
Montello Sierra Boston
Bibb
Density
(plants/raft)
48 60 60 88
Harvest
(cs/sheet)
2 2.5 2.5 3.67
Value
($/case)
30 25 25 20
Total 60 62.5 62.50 73.4
Rakocy 2012
Leaf Lettuce
Sierra
20/m2, 60 per raft
Staggered production
18 rafts harvested/week
Market value
$1.00/head
Value
$196/m2/year
~$41,900/system/year
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Romaine Lettuce
Parris Island
16/m2, 48 per raft
Staggered production
18 rafts harvested/week
Market value
$1.25/head
Value
$157/m2/yearr
~$33,600/system/yearr
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Pythium spp.
Root fungus
No IPM control
Low temperature
reduces growth and
impact of some
Pythium species
Select resistant
varieties
Rakocy 2012
Basil Production
48 plants/sheet
Staggered production
Complete harvest recommended
Cut and come again at 4 week intervals is
alternative
Grow for 3 months
Harvest (cut) three times then remove
Reduces survival and increases pythium
Seedlings
3 weeks in greenhouse
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Basil Genovese
16/m2, 48 per raft
Market value
$10.00/lb
Value
$515/m2/yr
$110,210/system/yr
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Melon Production
2 plants/sheet
Use one side only and allow plants to run on ground
Plant other side with companion crop
Or construct narrow hydroponic tanks
< 3 month crop
Plants die as melons ripen on the vine
Seedlings
1-2 weeks in greenhouse
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Cantaloupe Jaipur
0.67/m2, 2 per raft
Market value $3.99 each
Value
Each: $46.28/m2/yr
$9,900/system/yr
Rakocy 2012
Revenue for Various Crops
Crop $/m2/yr $/ft2/yr
Leaf lettuce (20/m2) 196 18.22
Romaine lettuce
(16/m2)
157 14.59
Basil (16/m2) 515 47.86
Okra (3.7/m2) 15 1.39
Cantaloupe (0.67/m2) 46 4.28
Rakocy 2012
Plant Pest and Disease Control
No synthetic chemical pesticides
Biological controls used to control insects
IPM to reduce pest pressure
Rakocy 2012
Biological Controls
Dipel Bacteria
Controls
caterpillars
Armicarb Potassium
bicarbonate
Controls fungus, powdery mildew.
Changes pH of leaf surface making it unsuitable for fungus growth
BotaniGard Fungus
Controls soft bodied insects (white flies, aphids)
Rakocy 2012
Application
of Dipel with
gas powered
backpack
sprayer
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Soaps and Oils
Coats insect causing
death.
Kills all insects
Including beneficial
Ladybugs, wasps, bees
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Barriers
Shade cloth
Tangle foot
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Thank you, Jim, for sharing these
slides.
Questions?