QCFA OWNED DIET EVALUATION
BroadAim:
To compare the diet designed by Ken Brueton on behalf of the NQCFA
and proposed to be
manufactured initially by lan Fletchett in Townsville with commercially available and cheaper diets.
Specific Objectives:
To amass evidence to convince farmers of the benefit of using the Association controlled diet
To prove or disprove that there is such a benefit
To trial the proposed larger for adult redclaw and the smaller, higher protein juvenile pellet
Need: At this time redclaw feed is available from few sources at widely differing costs in spite
of the common claim of approximately 20% protein. Nothing is known
of the parameters used to
design these diets and Association members have no control
of their content.
Should an Association owned diet be universally accepted, it would
allow a research levy to be imposed and put to good use.
Method: The method proposed would be very similar to project "Feed Comparison 01" and it
is seen that this project could be an extension or continuation of that work
Resources: Pood with cages, redclaw
Outcomes:
Qualitative evaluation of the difference in growth rate and health of crayfish fed on
commercial and Association feed (juveniles and adults)
Publish results in fanners magazines extolling the benefits of using Association feed
Establishment of manufacturing points across the state to minimise freight costs
COMPARE FEED PELLETS WITH DIFFERENT BINDERS
Proponents: QCFA and Wesfarmers
Broad Aim: To determine if the growth rate of Redclaw is influenced by how long pellets retain
their shape when immersed in water.
Specific Objectives:
Methods:
All commercial Redclaw farms use pelleted feed produced by a variety of
manufacurers.
There has always been conjecture by farmers on the importance of how long the pellets retain their shape
after distribution into the pond.
Farmers have always given higher regard to pellets which retain their shape longer.
Develop pellets with different binders and/or processing techniques which
exhibit varying longivity in water.
Observe Redclaw in aquaria and fed the different pellets to gain initial data and to design the pond based experiments.
Redclaw held in cages in a pond will be fed only pellets.
Sets ofRedclaw will each be fed pellets of differing longivity.
The crayfish will be monitored for growth over time.
Resources required:
Pilot pelletising equipment
Pond with cages.
Similarly sized Redclaw and pelleted feed.
Enthusiasts to feed & monitor Redclaw
Expected Outcomes:
Quantitative evaluation of the difference in growth rates between crayfish fed pellets of differing longivity.
Qualitative evaluation of the feeding characteristic of Redclaw.
Advice to the feed manufacturer and to other institutions conducting nutrition research.
COMPARE TWO WESFARMERS PELLETS
Proponents: QCFA and Wesfarmers
Broad Aim: To determine if the growth rate of Redclaw is better with two commercial redclaw pellets fed in rotation.
Specific Objectives:
Need: Previous work by Poppi and Fielder at UQ showed that Redclaw fed a varied diet had higher growth rates
than those fed with the one type of food. This result needs to be translated into commercial feeds.
Two different Redclaw pellets are currently being produced by Wesfarmers
one based on wheat and the
other on corn. These need to be tested to see if they provide sufficient variety to yield higher growth rates.
Methods:
Redclaw held in cages in a pond will be fed only pellets.
Two sets ofRedclaw will each be fed only the one type of pellet.
Other sets will be fed a rotation of the two pellets at various cycles.
The crayfish will be monitored for growth over time.
Resources required:
Pond with cages.
Similarly sized Redclaw and pelleted feed.
Enthusiasts to feed & monitor Redclaw
Expected Outcomes:
Quantitative evaluation of the difference in growth rates between crayfish fed only one
type of pellet and those fed two types of pellet.
Quantitative evaluation of the difference in growth rates between crayfish fed
two types of pellet on differing time cycles
Advice to the feed manufacturer and to other institutions conducting nutrition research-
STOCKING DENSITY FOR INTENSIVE FARMING
Broad Aim: To investigate the possibility of farming redclaw in an intensive manner in line
with other aquaculture species
Specific Objectives:
To access what extension to presently accepted levels of pond management such as aeration, habitat and
feeding are necessary to make this possibly.
To determine what maximum stocking levels are possible under these modified conditions without
significantly sacrificing levels of health and growth
Need:
Production levels have been clearly identified as the major constraint to the progress of the redclaw industry.
Should this research project prove to have a positive result, it would provide a quantum leap in this regard
Method:
Develop experiment methodology in association with an experienced farmer
Prepare a pond in accordance with this schedule and stock accordingly
Carefully monitor and record pond parameters and adjust inputs to suit
Check progress of stock by periodic trapping
Harvest pond when satisfactory growth is indicated
Replication of this project would depend on indications of success from the initial trial
Resources:
Pond, habitat, mechanical aerator, redclaw, recording instruments
[This experiment is scheduled to be trialed at Captain Red Claw, Townsville. The pond being available
for preparation mid July and stocking late August. A student interested in this work would be most welcome]
Outcomes:
Initial knowledge as to whether intensive farming appears to be at all practicable
Indications as to whether intensive farming is possible to a certain
size
Pond design for intensive farming if practical
Report to industry
COST OF JUVENILE PRODUCTION
Broad Aim: To determine the cost of rearing juveniles from broodstock and establish an economic selling size
Specific Objectives:
To determine the most appropriate size at which to sell juveniles
To determine the cost of juvenile production to that size.
To identify any high cost areas of current practice and recommend refinements
Need: The industry is in the throes of advancing to specialised juvenile rearing farms.
The investigation of costs and possible economies is a critical factor in the success of this venture.
Method:
Discuss with farmers the present practices of rearing juveniles, establish time
frames and facilities used.
Research Best Practice literature to refine the information gained above.
Use Economic model and/or other methods to determine the cost of rearing
juveniles.
With cognisance to other factors, investigate the most economic size for the sale of juveniles
Give consideration to an efficient operation size
Resources:
Access to DPI Economic Model, Published literature. Farmers time.
Outcomes:
A recommendation to Industry leaders that can be considered together with the outcomes of other
associated research projects.
The design of an efficient juvenile rearing facility
The production of a specialised Best Practice Manual for juvenile production
