Production Performance
In all production businesses, profits are obtained through adding value to the ingredients. For most fish farmers, growing the fish to market size for sale achieves this. Consequently, management decisions and daily farm operations need to be considered fully, within the context of their impact on the growth performance of the fish stocks.
Well planned farm routines are essential for ensuring that good growth results are obtained, that the stock is well cared for and that the farm raises and produces a product of the best possible quality.
While production and biological aspects are closely linked, production levels can change dramatically through stock management techniques. For example, grading and redistribution of stocks to maintain optimal stocking levels can increase farm productivity, reducing stress and disease and make better use of farm infrastructure.
Questions
- Would new stock management techniques/technology, such as automated biomass assessment and detecting systems for feed wastage, be of benefit to your operation?
- Do you use a computerised data recording and monitoring programme for stock management?
Danger Point
Poor use of the growing facilities, under-use of modern labour-saving devices, lack of skills in data processing are contributors to under-performance of the farm.
Training Checklist
Is there a need for further training?
- Training provision in the improvement of production performance
Production and Biological Performance
- Calculation of FCR's and SGR's
- Factors affecting fish appetite
- Fish nutrition and effects of different diets
- Assessment of production performance & sampling techniques (biomass estimation / feed, recording, etc.