Aquaculture for all

Wisconsin's aquaculture sales growing strong

WISCONSIN - There's something fishy going on in Wisconsin agriculture--and it's turning out to be a great enterprise for some. According to the USDA's latest aquaculture census, sales of aquaculture products raised on state farms totaled $7.03 million in 2005, a 34 percent increase from 1998.

The report stated that 84 farms in the Badger State satisfied the aquaculture farm definition of $1,000 or more in aquaculture sales per year. That was compared to 95 just seven years earlier. Groundwater was used by 48 farms as a source of water while 54 farms used on-farm surface water.

Ponds, used on 68 farms, were the most common method of production followed by flow through raceways, which was used on 29 farms.

Baitfish raised and sold by Wisconsin farmers totaled $3.89 million, accounting for 55 percent of the aquaculture sales. Compared to 1998, baitfish sales were up by $1.44 million. The category of food fish was second in line with $1.95 million in sales. The most popular baitfish produced and sold on Wisconsin farms were fathead minnows.

Source: AgConnection

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