March 28, 2008

Australian cotton growers eye fish farming to reduce fertilizer use

An Australian cotton grower is hoping fish farming would not only diversify their farming system but reduce reliance on fertilizers used in cotton production.

David Foley tells Queensland Country Life that he is exploring the use of freshwater silver perch, a high quality seafood with an abundant omega 3 fatty acids for such a project. 

The project would seek to find optimal conditions for cage production and will look specifically at stocking density, feeding, production strategies, disease management and cage design.

Integration of fish farming will provide cotton farmers with a diversification that adds value to irrigation water, increase water-use efficiency, and provide economical and environmental sustainability, he said.