Browsing by Author "Coale, Charles W. Jr."
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- Agri-TourismBlacka, Aaron E.; Couture, Pierre; Coale, Charles W. Jr.; Dooley, John E.; Hankins, Andrew G.; Lastovica, Ann McDaniel, 1947-; Mihalik, Brian; Reed, Charlotte A.; Uysal, Muzaffer (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)A guide to starting an agritourism business, including numerous checklists and resources
- Agricultural Cooperation and Horticultural Produce Marketing in Southwest VirginiaTrupo, Paul (Virginia Tech, 1997-06-04)Agricultural production in Southwest Virginia is characterized by numerous small, geographically disperse farms dedicated to traditional practices of producing tobacco and cattle. Community leaders have expressed the desire to diversify the region's agricultural production base to include potentially more profitable commodities such as horticultural crops. In order for the small growers to penetrate the fresh horticultural market and compete with the larger production regions, they must organize themselves into a farmer cooperative that allows them to pool resources, reduce costs, and share risk. A successful cooperative will increase farm incomes for the region's producers. The co-op will strive to obtain a higher price for the commodities produced than that price which can be obtained by growers acting independently. The increase in farm incomes should offset forecasted decreases in agricultural incomes resulting from declines in the region's traditional production activities. Increased farm incomes for a large number of small growers should have a substantial impact on agricultural producers, marketers, and equipment suppliers and lead to economic development for the region as a whole. Several past horticultural cooperative efforts have been publicly financed and eventually failed for a wide variety of reasons. The methodology used in this research include surveying and interviewing marketing specialists, co-op managers, growers, extension agents, horticulturists, and other experts involved with both successful and failed cooperative efforts. The data gathered from these interviews has been used to identify key factors that have contributed to the success or failure of the other cooperative efforts. Based on the key factors identified from the research, a specific cooperative structure has been developed for the Southwest Virginia growers. This organizational structure incorporates into its legal documentation (bylaws, business plan, and marketing agreement) the critical factors that must be carried out by members, management, extension, and marketers in order to increase the probability for the cooperative's long-term survival and profitability.
- Analyzing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Alternatives - the Case of Virginia's Eastern ShoreKalo, Altin A. Jr. (Virginia Tech, 1997-12-03)The evaluation of production alternatives in agriculture requires a close examination of their economic and environmental impacts. This study was conducted to identify the crops with the highest profit potential given terminal market prices over the last five years, evaluate the feasibility of adopting new crop alternatives, given historical price information and limited production resources, and determine the potential environmental impacts of adopting new cropping strategies in Accomack and Northampton Counties on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. A database of daily terminal price information was created to identify the market windows for specific commodities, their respective high, median and low prices, and their price variability over the last five years. A linear programming model was used to determine optimal farming operations for those farmers that grow only wheat and soybean versus farmers who are willing and able to include vegetables in their crop mix. PLANETOR, an environmental impact computer program, was used to estimate the potential soil erosion, pesticide leaching and runoff, nitrogen leaching, and phosphorous runoff for different scenarios. The model shows that some of the new vegetable commodities could substantially increase the net returns of the farming operations in question. Romaine and Boston Lettuce were consistently selected as the most profitable alternatives while the region's traditional crops offered little competition. Wheat and soybean production showed acceptable levels of soil erosion, as defined by the T-values for the region, and low potential for nitrogen leaching. They did, however, exhibit a higher potential for water contamination, through leaching, or runoff, of high toxicity chemicals. Although lettuce production had higher than recommended soil losses, a well-diversified crop mix offsets its negative impacts at the farm level. Lettuce also uses low toxicity chemicals, decreasing potential health hazard from their leaching or runoff. The introduction of the new vegetable commodities is recommended on the basis of the high profits that they offer, as well as the more positive pesticide leaching and runoff potential. Their final adoption, however, should take place only after establishing a well defined marketing strategy and resolving potential marketing problems. No crop exists that could offer both high profits and have no impact on the environment. Kenaf was thought to be one, but it was soon eliminated on both grounds. This study showed, however, that the new vegetable crops considered may offer better net returns, while they do not necessarily translate into environmental disasters.
- Aquaculture of Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and a Comparison of its Quality: Microbiological, Sensory, and Proximate CompositionPullela, Sharma V. S. (Virginia Tech, 1998-08-21)(Piaractus mesopotamicus) initially weighing 72.0 g were fed three diets - a) 0.5% vegetable (zucchini), b) commercial 32% (P32) and c) commercial 36% (P36) protein diets for 24 weeks and their growth performance compared. Processing yields and proximate composition were determined following dressing of pacu. The microbiological quality of pond cultured pacu was compared to aquacultured hybrid striped bass, tilapia, and rainbow trout grown in pond and recirculating aquaculture systems. Sensorial analyses for differences in flavor, preference, and color were also determined. Protein concentration significantly influenced the weights, lengths, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio (p < 0.05). Diet insignificantly influenced the processing yields (p > 0.05). The moisture, protein and total lipid contents were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by the dietary protein. The indicative bacterial quality differed significantly for pacu as well as the water used for culturing pacu (p < 0.05) among dietary treatments. Aquaculture production systems significantly influenced the indicative and pathogenic bacterial quality. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were not isolated from any of the sampled fish. The qualitative and quantitative results of Clostridium botulinum were influenced by the production system (p < 0.05). Flavor of pacu was comparable to that of hybrid striped bass, tilapia, and rainbow trout, but superior to catfish. Cooking significantly improved the color of the ground fish fillets.
- A Case Study on the Economic Feasibility of Producing Maple liners in a Traditional Tobacco GreenhouseWilkerson, Joseph Edward (Virginia Tech, 2002-04-26)The goal of this case study was to investigate the economic feasibility of a new enterprise for Southside Virginia farmers to help alleviate problems stemming from a loss of income and excess production capacity of a tobacco greenhouse. Maple liner production in a tobacco greenhouse was determined to not be economically feasible by this study. The control scenario, as well as the sensitivity analysis revealed that maple liner production would yield a loss when produced in a tobacco greenhouse. The breakeven number of plants to be sold was 43% of the cuttings planted, and could exceed 50% under some conditions of the sensitivity analysis. While the maple liner production schedule was determined to be culturally suitable as a supplemental greenhouse activity, the tobacco greenhouse engineering design was deemed inadequate for maple liner production. Modifications were needed to the ventilation and irrigation systems. This economic study was based on a field trial conducted in Halifax County, Virginia.
- An ecologic-economic perspective for coastal zone managementConopask, Jeff Virgil (Virginia Tech, 1975-08-31)The issue of land resource management has recently taken on meaning not previously associated with the term. Federal, state and local governments as well as highly organized public and private groups have identified land resource management as a critical issue of this decade. Many existing private and public institutions are being challenged and new institutional arrangements are being forged to deal with land resource management issues. One of the most commonly recognized critical land management areas is the narrow band of land and water known as the coastal zone. Although regional studies have dealt with one or more of these problem areas in the past, the intensive multiple use of this particular geographic area has focused attention on it from a multiple disciplinary vantage point. This study attempted to demonstrate the usefulness of economic-ecological analysis in seeking solutions to the allocation of coastal zone resources to alternative uses.
- Economic feasibility of using weather-altering technology on apple orchards in VirginiaGreaser, George Landis (Virginia Tech, 1977-02-15)Apple producers in Virginia are affected by adverse weather factors which cause poor or lower than normal yields. These weather factors such as freeze kill of bloom and lack of rainfall cause decreases in production and, therefore, decreases in revenues received by apple producers. These weather factors, although they can not be completely controlled, can be altered by wind machines and overhead sprinkler systems. Therefore, the major purpose of the study was to determine if these types of weather-altering technologies could be economically feasible for use in Virginia. The first step in determining the economic feasibility of the two systems was to determine which weather factors are effected by the adaptable technology stated above. This information was received from studies completed in Utah, Georgia, Florida, California, and Washington State. The second step was to gather production data and weather data in the same general geographical location in Virginia to be used to develop a yield response equation and determine the weather variables which affect production. This information was then transferred to. a simulation model, which determined the values of the economic criteria used when making investment decisions. The major findings of the study were: (1) that the overhead sprinkler system is the investment with the best economic criteria values and should be the investment used in situations where an orchard is of dwarf and semi-dwarf type rootstock and where there is an adequate supply of water, and (2) wind machines are also shown to be economically feasible to use in orchard situations and can be implemented in orchards with older seedling type trees and in orchards where there is an inadequate supply of water to operate an overhead sprinkler system.
- The Economic Impact of Investment in the Food Processing Industry in US Rural Counties: The Case of Scott County, VirginiaTanellari, Eftila (Virginia Tech, 2005-02-24)This thesis examines the economic impact of two alternative canning plant sizes in Scott County, Virginia. The impacts of a community cannery as well as a commercial cannery are analyzed with respect to changes in output, employment, and income. Several uses for the commercial cannery are considered, such as specialization in different product categories. In both cases, an input-output model is used to evaluate the effects of the operation of the cannery in the county. The results indicate that the impact of the commercial cannery is significantly larger than the community cannery. Specialization of the commercial cannery in the Canned Specialties sector has the largest impact with respect to industry output and labor income while specialization in the Sausages and Other Prepared Meats sector has the largest impact with respect to employment.
- The grocery shopping attitudes and behaviors of convenience store patronsDowdy, Marshall Dean (Virginia Tech, 1994-07-12)This study measured the grocery shopping behavior of households through a hand delivered and hand retrieved questionnaire. The focus of this study was the identification of the convenience store as a place where grocery shoppers purchase fill-in grocery items between major supermarket trips. The survey measured the shopping behavior of households toward supermarkets and the shopping behavior of the households toward convenience stores. This study replicates the Sequence of Effects Model of grocery shopping behavior and a grocery shopping strategy typology to address the issue of how convenience store patrons differ from non patrons in their attitudes and behavior toward grocery shopping and in their attitudes and behavior toward their primary supermarkets. This research also addressed the differences in relationships with the primary convenience store among patrons with different rates of patronage. The attitude of grocery shoppers regarding their trust of supermarkets to have fair prices and quality products was found to influence their perception of their primary supermarkets. Grocery shoppers were also found to express an inverse relationship between the feelings of time pressure during fill-in grocery shopping trips and their perception of their primary supermarkets. The typology of grocery shoppers was found to describe different convenience store patrons as well as supermarket patrons. Typology membership indicates the likelihood of a shopper being a convenience store patron. Convenience store patrons were found to give lower evaluations to their primary supermarkets, to feel greater time pressure during fill-in shopping, and to be less involved in information search than non patrons. They were also found to have larger evoked sets than grocery shoppers who do not patronize convenience stores. Convenience store patrons were found to hold greater feelings of personalization and socialization with their primary convenience store when they had greater frequency rates. The supermarket was found to be the store of choice for fill-in grocery shopping by an overwhelming majority of grocery shoppers. The study results show theoretical, methodological, and substantive implications concerning grocery shopping behavior and the patronage of convenience stores. This study concludes with suggestions for future research.
- Impacts of socioeconomic and demographic factors on household expenditure for disaggregate fish and shellfish in the United StatesCheng, Hsiang-tai (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985)As the popularity for seafood in the United States continues to grow, information about consumer patterns of fishery products will be a valuable aid to various groups in the seafood industry. The primary objective of this dissertation is to provide quantitative information, notably own price, income, and household size elasticity measures, about consumer behavior relating to specific fish and shellfish products. The methodology used in this study is as follows: (1) organize and analyze at-home seafood consumption data for specific finfish and shellfish species by three product forms (canned, fresh and fresh frozen, and other prepared) from the 1981 Seafood Consumption Survey: (i) finfish -- cod, flounder (or sole), haddock, herring, mackerel, perch, pollock, salmon, sardines, snapper, tuna, whiting, total finfish, and (ii) shellfish -- clams, crabs, oysters, scallops, shrimp, and total shellfish; (2) identify and assess the factors that affect household expenditure on these products for home consumption, and (3) compare the results of this research to those from previously published works. Price and coupon value are the dominant factors in explaining the variation of household expenditure on seafood commodities for at-home consumption. All price elasticities are negative and in the inelastic range except for fresh and fresh frozen oysters and canned tuna. These results suggest that for almost all shellfish and finfish species, unit percentage changes in product availability lead to greater than unit percentage changes in product prices. Coupon values, as expected, have significant positive impacts on household expenditures for seafood commodities for at-home consumption. Except for scallops, all shellfish products are normal goods, while the nature of the income effects for finfish products is mixed. Generally, household size elasticities are not only positive but also less than unity. Significant differences exist in household expenditures for fishery products due to geographic region, urbanization, employment status and age of the household manager, race, and season. Finally, households spend significantly less on all categories of canned fishery products, but more on fresh and fresh frozen shellfish, at the supermarket and the grocery store than at other seafood outlets. Occupation and education of the household head and religious affiliation are not generally statistically important factors in explaining the variation in household expenditure on fish and shellfish products.
- Income and harvest effects of alternative management policies on commercial crab potters in VirginiaGiuranna, Anne M. (Virginia Tech, 1993-07-05)In recent years, the blue crab fishery has become the main source of income for Virginia's watermen. This fact, along with growing concerns of overharvesting and uncertainty about the amount of effort in the fishery, has led to calls for more complete data on the fishery. This study examined the characteristics of Virginia's blue crab fishery, through an extensive survey of crab pot license holders conducted on a monthly basis from March to November of 1992. Along with a description of the people in the fishery, this study also modeled prices, harvest levels, and income levels for the blue crab industry. Because the models were interactive in nature, the effects of various fishery management strategies were also analyzed. The main emphasis of the policy simulations was to discover what impacts the different strategies had on harvest and income levels. The results of the simulations showed that many of the policies currently under consideration will have only a small impact on overall harvest and income levels, but there are some larger distributional effects among different firm classes. The findings of this study suggest that in order to gather accurate and useful data on the fishery, the random surveying techniques of this study should be continued over a period of years.
- Marketing and distribution of shiitake mushrooms : a Virginia retail case study(Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, 1990)
- Marketing aquaculture products : a retail market case study for sunshine bassCoale, Charles W. Jr.; Anthony, Joseph P.; Flick, George J. Jr.; Libey, George S.; Hong, Gi-Pyo; Spittle, G. D.; Valley, N. A. (Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, 1993)This research study addresses strategic questions about marketing of Sunshine Bass (a hybrid striped bass species) in a retail market outlet. The retail customers demanded high product quality and service from the market outlet. Successful marketing of Sunshine Bass in a retail outlet depends on economic conditions within the marketing channel. The elements in this study included: customers, pricing, marketing, and costs. Objectives. The overall objective of the study was to analyze the physical distribution system for marketing Sunshine Bass in retail marketing outlets. Methods. The study examined the physical distribution elements and costs in a retail marketing channel. Both physical distribution elements and cost data were analyzed by a marketing reconnaissance spreadsheet. The spreadsheet estimated marketing channel revenues and costs by assembly, processing, distribution activities, and product shrinkage. The input factors and their cost relationships were established. The elements focused on: production, harvest, and assembly, processing and distribution, and retail market evaluation. Results. Most customers surveyed rated Sunshine Bass as a quality product. Most preferred a fillet form. About 70 percent said they would pay from $6.00 to $8.00 for a pound of fillets. Most customers surveyed were not familiar with the name, Sunshine Bass. Costs of physical assembly, distribution, and processing were calculated. For a whole-gutted product form, the per-pound cost of the assembly, processing, and distribution functions was about $0.39. For a fillet product form, the per pound cost of the assembly, processing, and distribution function was about $.96. Conclusions. Major promotional effort will be needed to penetrate the market, more technology application will be needed to reduce production and marketing cos.ts, and more product development attention will be needed to build product value.
- Methods for Evaluating Agricultural Enterprises in the Framework of Uncertainty Facing Tobacco Producing Regions of VirginiaHalili, Rushan (Virginia Tech, 1999-11-22)The purpose of this study was to develop and demonstrate an analytical framework to filter technical and economic information regarding alternative agricultural enterprises in order to enable farmers to make more informed diversification and adjustment decisions. This is particularly important for areas that need to adjust the structure of income sources as a result of dramatic changes in market demand and/or agricultural policy. Tobacco producing regions are currently facing such a problem in the United States. These regions need to consider a wide range of alternatives to maintain or enhance income and standards of living. The problem involved both strategic economic decisions and operational economic decisions. The method used combined information in the ArcView Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Linear Programming (LP). Part of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, served as a case study example. A GIS database including soils and climatic conditions of the study area was created. Soils belonging to land capability classes 1 to 4 were considered for agricultural purposes. Agronomic requirements for specific yield levels of the enterprises considered were tabulated. An ArcView GIS analysis was conducted based on soil map unit symbols. Soil depth, soil series, soil texture, slope, flood potential and average summer temperature were factors associated with yield. Natural drainage, pH, natural fertility, content of organic matter and annual rainfall were factors that served for enterprise budget adjustments. The output of ArcView GIS analysis is maps of physically viable enterprise boundaries or enterprise reference units and tables of attributes for each field. Marketing of agricultural products that have prices that fluctuate seasonally is feasible only within the period of time called the "market window". When average historical prices were above total costs, a market window was identified. The optimal enterprise mix was addressed by LP from a whole farm planning perspective based on the results of ArcView GIS analysis and other constraints, including crop rotations, and irrigation limits. Various levels of tobacco production, vegetable enterprise activity levels, and limits on irrigation were employed to generate, ten scenarios. Results include the optimal enterprise mix, net revenue (above variable costs), shadow prices and sensitivity analysis. It is shown that specialty crops are not likely to replace tobacco income, at least in the near term. Developing a diversified farm plan could help farmers to make a smooth transition to other alternatives.
- The Presence of Pathogenic Bacteria in Recirculating Aquaculture System Biofilms and their Response to Various SanitizersKing, Robin K. (Virginia Tech, 2001-04-13)Recirculating aquaculture offers a prospect for successful fish farming, but this form of aquaculture presents a great potential for pathogenic microorganisms to become established in the system through the formation of biofilms. Biofilms are capable of forming on all aquaculture system components, incorporating the various microflora present in the water. Pathogenic microorganisms released from the biofilms are capable of causing recurring exposure to disease in both fish and humans. With the increased consumption of raw and rare fish, the presence of these bacteria in or on the fish could lead to ingestion of pathogens. There is also the possibility of cross-contamination during processing. The objectives of this study were to increase the understanding of pathogen incorporation into biofilms in recirculating aquaculture systems and to determine the effectiveness of various sanitizers in eliminating biofilms. Seven freshwater and two saltwater facilities were sampled, with eight different types of materials tested. Pathogenic bacteria were identified using Bacteriological Analytical Manual methods and rapid commercial test kits. Most of the pathogenic bacteria identified were opportunistic organisms ubiquitous in an aquatic environment. The most significant human pathogens were Bacillus cereus, the Shigella species and the Vibrio species. The major piscine pathogens of concern were Photobacterium damsela, the Vibrio species, and Aeromonas hydrophila. The most significant variation in biofilm pathogens was observed between facilities and not construction material. Buna-N rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC, glass, fiberglass and stainless steel disks were suspended in 79.2 liter (20 gallon) aquariums stocked with Nile tilapia (Oreochromus niloticus). The tanks were inoculated with a known amount of green fluorescent protein (GFP) modified Escherichia coli and samples were removed on days 1,3, 7 and 15. The modified E. coli were isolated on Luria Broth Agar and plate counts were performed under ultraviolet light. There was no significant difference in the growth of the surrogate pathogen on the different materials. The GFP E. coli was isolated in the largest numbers 24 hours after inoculation of the tanks, with an approximate 1-log decrease after day 1. Days 3, 7, and 15 showed equivalent growth of the target organism. Two sets of disks were suspended in another six 79.2 liter (20 gallon) aquariums. The tanks were inoculated with a known amount of the surrogate pathogen, GFP E. coli, and after 24 hours one set of disks was removed from each tank. The second set of disks was removed and treated by spraying with water, alkaline cleanser, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium compound, or peracetic acid. Ozone was bubbled directly into one tank to treat another set of disks. The modified E. coli were isolated and counted. Total aerobic plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts were performed. Statistical analysis indicated that the type of material had no significant affect on the effectiveness of the sanitizers. It was determined that sodium hypochlorite (99.4591 overall reduction) and peracetic acid (98.8461 % overall reduction) were the most effective sanitizers overall, and ozone (32.9332 % overall reduction) was the least effective.
- Proceedings of a conference on land use and the Chesapeake Bay(Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1985)The inflow of land-based pollutants has decreased productivity of the Chesapeake Bay. Better land-use management practices can improve the service-providing capacity of the bay. Specific approaches to management of pollutant sources are discussed. Solutions to some institutional, ethical, and legislative issues are presented for action on both the individual and collective level in a series of 15 papers.
- Production and postharvest quality maintenance of single unit and bunching broccoli in VirginiaJett, Lewis W. (Virginia Tech, 1990-11-05)Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) has become an increasingly popular vegetable with American consumers. Much of the attractiveness of fresh broccoli is derived from this vegetable's high nutrition and excellent organoleptic properties. In a consumer response survey, Virginia Master Gardeners indicated a preference for broccoli that has less stalk and more florets by weight. The objectives of this research were to produce single unit broccoli, and to examine vacuum and shrink-film wrapping of single unit and bunching broccoli as alternatives to the standard post harvest practice of top icing in order to preserve post harvest quality attributes: vitamin C, color, odor, and turgidity. Broccoli cv. 'Symphony' was direct seeded and transplanted at two sites in Virginia (within row spacing 20 cm , .9 m centered, 3 row bed). Single unit broccoli was classified as broccoli with head diameters greater than or equal to 20 cm (i.e., equivalent to one bunch of broccoli). Single unit and bunching broccoli for post harvest experimentation was vacuum or shrink-film wrapped with plastic film wraps of varying gauges. The broccoli was held in cold storage from 12 to 22 days with no supplemental ice. Single unit broccoli was produced successfully at one site only. The yields, however, were a fraction of total bunching broccoli yields. There was no significant difference in marketable yields with either planting method (direct seeded vs transplanting) at site 2. Transplants, however, out yielded the direct seeded broccoli at site 1. Vacuum and shrink-film wrapping proved to be very effective in preserving organoleptic attributes of single unit and bunching broccoli even when never receiving ice. Vitamin C and chlorophyll retention were not influenced by wrapping.
- Recruiting and maintaining dairy cooperative members: a strategy for reducing the free rider problemGreen, Kris R. (Virginia Tech, 1992-04-15)Dairy marketing cooperatives provide marketwide services, such as lobbying for higher support prices and negotiating for premiums above marketing order prices, which benefit all dairy farmers in the market. The presence of free riders, people who benefit from these marketwide services without paying any of the costs of these services, can jeopardize the existence of the cooperative. Understanding why members were attracted to the cooperative and why independents (non-members) were attracted to the investor oriented firm (IOF) allows cooperatives to target specific membership groups. Depending on the cooperative's goals, management can then use this information to focus on either retaining current members or attracting new members or both. The purpose of this study is to produce practical recommendations for dairy marketing cooperatives for recruitment and retention of members. This study begins with a background on cooperatives and a conceptual framework based on group and game theory. The data are a result of a regional survey of dairy farmers. The data are then analyzed using t-tests for continuous responses and chi-square tests for categorical responses. This analysis results in a comparison of responses from cooperative members and independents. The independents stressed immediate benefits over long-run gains. Independents also appeared to have a risk/return trade-off. They received higher prices in exchange for fewer written contracts. Economic issues were important to both groups but significantly more important to independent producers. The two groups exhibited no difference on tradition and loyalty issues. Cooperative members emphasized prices and deductions, but they also highlighted assured markets and field services offered by their cooperatives.
- Reproductive Manipulation and Larval Rearing Techniques of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)Tompkins, Keith Brian (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-08)This thesis was conducted to evaluate the potential of obtaining yellow perch eggs and fry by controlling the reproductive cycle of broodfish and the techniques used to rear the resulting fry. Chapter 1 is a review of literature pertaining to yellow perch culture and related topics. Chapter 2 is a study of yellow perch broodstock exposed to a 6-month, artificial photothermal cycle and injected with LHRHa and pimozide to induce spawning. The mean gonadosomatic index for manipulated females was 24.2% and the mean fertility of eggs from manipulated females was 26.5%. The fertilization rate was significantly greater among strip-spawned females than tank spawned females (p < 0.05). The time to ovulation after injection showed a negative correlation (r2 = 0.505) with the mean oocyte diameter of manipulated females. Chapter 3 is a study comparing the performance of larval yellow perch reared in a recirculating system fed only live rotifers (T1), in a recirculating system fed live rotifers and an artificial diet (T2) and in a greenwater system (T3). Survival was low in all treatments. The specific growth rate did not differ among treatments over the first 6 days. The percentage of fry with inflated swimbladders and absorbed yolksacs did not differ by day 6. While T3 larvae began ingesting food earlier than T1 and T2, the percentage of fry ingesting food did not differ among treatments by day 6 (p >0.1). The total percentage of skeletal deformities was greater in T3 than either T1 or T2 (p < 0.05) and may have been due to excessive handling of T3 larvae during hatch-out. Chapter 4 outlines the costs associated with a yellow perch hatchery designed around photothermally manipulated broodstock. This hatchery model produces four separate spawns annually, yielding 644,000 fingerlings year-1. Including start-up, fixed and variable costs, such a facility can produce 3" (76mm) fingerlings for $0.20 fingerling-1 for the first 5 years of operation, $0.16 fingerling-1 for the second 5 years and $0.06 fingerling-1 after 10 years.
- The seafood industry : a self-study guide. MerchandisingCoale, Charles W. Jr.; Haby, Michael G. (Michael George), 1952- (Sea Grant, Extension Division, Virginia Tech, 1985)