Shrimp Production

Post-larval shrimp, about the size of a mosquito larvae, are purchased from a disease-free hatchery in the USA by the 1st of May. These young are transported to our farm and placed in acclimation tanks where the salinity is slowly decreased from shipping salinity (15 to 32 parts per thousand, ppt) to the farm salinity (3.5 ppt). The larvae are then transferred to earthen ponds where they grow until harvest. Acclimation Tanks	Post-larval Shrimp
Constructed Dike The ponds are excavated in prairie soil composed of tight clay with minimal percolation. Water is pumped from wells that reach 650 to 680 ft below ground. Hydrostatic pressure forces the water to about 35 feet below the ground surface. The salinity of the water is 3.5 ppt which is about 10% of seawater strength. We have to amend the water with potassium for the shrimp to survive. Pond Construction
The growth phase comprises 4 to 5 months. Management consists principally of feeding shrimp and maintaining good water quality. Dissolved oxygen is the principle water quality variable that we actively manage through the use of mechanical aerators. We limit production to moderate levels to minimize water quality problems and reduce the occurrence of noxious algal blooms. Shrimp are fed a sinking pellet formulated and fabricated specifically for shrimp. The feed is composed principally of plant products and about 12% fish meal. We participate in research that seeks to decrease the quantity of fish meal by substituting plant protein. No mammalian by-products are used in our feed. Shrimp are sampled for growth every week and feed allotments are adjusted accordingly.	10 HP Aerator
Shrimp are harvested during a 6 to 7 week period that begins in September and usually ends by the beginning of November. These shrimp are a tropical animal that would normally die as the water cools in the fall. Before harvest, we first transfer most of the pond water to another pond in order to conserve water and to minimize environmental impact by water discharge.	PTO Transfer Pump
Shrimp are harvested by draining the remaining pond water. Water is drained through a cage fitted with a pump that transfers the shrimp in water to a dewatering tower located on the pond dike. In the tower, the shrimp are separated from the water by a grate and fall into a tote where they are covered immediately with ice. The shrimp are then packed for the fresh market or shipped to a processing plant to be flash frozen.	Harvesting Pump
Pond Harvest	Harvesting Machine