To determine the applicability of freshwater shrimp production research in Kentucky and other states to southern Ohio
To evaluate the potential of freshwater shrimp as a sustainable cash-crop for Southern Ohio farmers by determining production potential and exploring market opportunities.
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.
Provide cooperators with the assistance that they need to establish a sustainable profitable enterprise.

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. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Year 2000 Annual Report, the 1999 average cash receipts per farm within these counties amounted to $21,465, or 38 percent of the statewide average. An additional factor affecting farm productivity in this region is the change in land use. Between 1950 and 1997, approximately 52 percent of the agricultural land in this area has been lost to other uses. During this same period, Ohio's average loss in agricultural land is estimated to be only 33 percent. 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 would be an effective way to evaluate the profitability of their culture as a sustainable agriculture enterprise in Ohio. Several farmers in Southern Ohio have agreed to participate in this research opportunity (Appendix A).

Freshwater shrimp culture has recently become increasingly popular in many temperate regions in the United States. 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. Current enterprise budgets for freshwater shrimp culture, developed by the University of Kentucky's Department of Agriculture Economics, estimate net annual profits to range from $2,000 to $5,000 per acre. Other factors producing increased interest in production include identified markets for fresh and live freshwater shrimp in inland locations, the growing trend among consumers wanting to know how 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 Division 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 fence 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. Typical stocking densities for shrimp are about 3.5 shrimp/m2. Adding artificial substrates such as suspended bird mesh netting or snow fencing to the ponds can substantially increase pond yields and improve survival. Freshwater shrimp are believed to have great potential for diversification of Ohio farms. They have a short growing season (June 1st-September 15th) that fits in well with other farm activities, require little labor (20 minutes/day feeding and one long harvest day), occupy under-utilized existing water resources, and show reasonable profit potential for small acreage production.

Funds requested will be used to offset the cost of juvenile shrimp for stocking, shrimp feeds and substrate materials (if needed) for the production of shrimp at the privately owned demonstration sites. The Ohio State site in Piketon has secured additional matching dollars from the OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program if this proposal is funded, and Piketon will contribute more dollars from in-kind salaries. The other public institution cooperator (Hocking College) will receive some subsidy of costs from the grant funds after the private cooperators' needs are met.

The Ohio State University South Centers (South District Extension) Specialist for Natural Resources (Mr. David Apsley) will form a cooperative team with the Aquaculture Specialists (Mrs. Tiu and Mr. Wallat) at the South Centers - Piketon, several South Centers County Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agents and one East District Extension Agent, the Hocking Technical College and six southern Ohio farmers to implement a research and marketing initiative utilizing on-farm trials of freshwater shrimp culture. This group will be referred to as the Shrimp Team. Extension Agents from six counties in Southern Ohio (Adams, Athens, Brown, Pike, Scioto and Washington counties) have identified cooperators from their county based on the criteria necessary for successful shrimp production. At the time of this writing, one more on-farm cooperator is being actively sought to have 9 trial sites. Ideally, cooperators will have or be willing to construct a ¼ to ½ -acre pond that is drainable and has accessible electricity. The OSU South Centers - Piketon (Pike County) and the Hocking College Aquaculture Center in Albany (Athens County) will serve as the additional trial sites.

The entire Shrimp Team will undergo a training session to enhance the success of the operations in early April. The group will receive training in shrimp pond construction and visit an operating shrimp farm, near Portsmouth, OH, in order to get a better idea of what is involved in the culture of shrimp. The Aquaculture Specialists will provide each member of the group with a notebook containing pertinent fact sheets and information on the culture and marketing of freshwater shrimp. Freshwater shrimp sites will be established in at least one ¼ to ½ acre pond in each of the participating counties, resulting in up to 9 field sites. All ponds will be randomly assigned to one of the following three stocking treatments: 15,000 shrimp/acre with no additional substrate, 25,000 shrimp/acre with 25% additional substrate, and 25,000 shrimp/acre with a 50% increase in bottom surface area using artificial substrate.

Pond preparation will begin in May 2002. All ponds will be drained or pumped dry, limed if necessary and artificial substrate (fence posts and PVC construction fence) will be installed in selected ponds. Ponds will be refilled in preparation for stocking June 10, 2002. Shrimp will be stocked as soon as water temperatures are consistently above 65° F. Cooperators will feed shrimp twice a day for 100-110 days. Shrimp will be harvested in September 2002, before water temperatures reach 60° F. The research trial sites will also serve as demonstration sites by being open for visits by other interested individuals and field days as arranged by their County Agent.

Production of shrimp lb/acre, average size and feed conversion rates will be documented. Water quality, including dissolved oxygen content, temperature, pH and ammonia, will also be monitored and recorded throughout the study. All production costs including shrimp larvae for stocking, feed, utilities, equipment, supplies and hired labor will be documented. Operator hours invested in developing the physical facilities, feeding, harvesting and marketing will also be quantified. Each cooperator farmer will work 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) will be explored and developed, and sale price with total net profit will be documented for each producer. Cooperators will keep all proceeds from the sale of shrimp raised on their farm.

A variety of other evaluation techniques will be employed to determine the following: operator attitudes throughout the process, ANR Agent and other team member attitudes and opinions on the effectiveness of the process, and the level of success of on-farm pond demonstrations for generating additional interest in freshwater shrimp and other aquaculture opportunities. The Shrimp Team will submit a project findings report by December 2002.

All 9 shrimp production ponds were harvested in September 2002. Yields (lbs) per acre ranged from 22-1100 lbs. Average size (g) ranged from 7-45 g. Survival ranged from 3% to 81%. By pond type (LD=low density/no substrate, HD=high density/no substrate, HDS= high density/with substrate), the LD ponds had the highest mean average weight (32 g). The HD ponds had the highest mean survival (57%) and mean harvest yield (689 lb/acre). The HDS ponds had the lowest mean survival (18%) and harvest yield (673 lbs; tied with LD). Pond soil and water samples were collected through the duration of the experiment, and are currently being tested. Samples will be compared for correlations between soil and water quality parameters, and production yields and survivals. Cooperative farmers were able to market all shrimp grown in their ponds to local customers in the round, live. Prices ranged from $6-8 per pound. Cooperators were able to gain a better understanding of shrimp production on this pilot scale, and evaluate if this would be an economically feasible option for their existing farm operations.