Category Archive: From the Field

A closer look at in-pond raceway systems: This technology sure makes sense to me

ELLENTON, FL – As many of you know, in-pond raceway technology has been circulating around the aquaculture industry since at least the early 1980’s. The basic concept employs a lined raceway or tank to concentrate a high volume of fish in a small area. Water flow and in-tank nutrient removal through the system results in …

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A very special visit to Mt. Lassen Trout Farm: Great operation, super people, a fun experience

PAYNES CREEK, CA –  I was thinking the other day that if I were to count up all the fish farms I have visited over the past 30 years, it would almost certainly surpass the 1,000-farm mark. Lots of farms in lots of places.  Big ones, small ones.  Good ones, a few less good ones.  …

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A few quick highlights from this year’s Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference, show

MARSHFIELD, WI – Nothing makes me happier than sleeping in my own bed at night (and those of you who travel frequently know what I mean) so it was a rare treat to have this year’s annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference and Trade Show in a location that was driving distance from my house. This is …

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Awesome location, terrific water flow rates make Troutlodge’s Rock Creek, ID facility a huge winner

TWIN FALLS, ID – Most everyone in this industry, and certainly anyone in the trout business, is familiar with the Troutlodge name. One of the oldest aquaculture companies in the US, Troutlodge – based in Sumner, WA – is the world’s largest producer of pathogen-free rainbow trout eggs, employing more than 100 people worldwide. There …

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From mink ranch to thriving trout farm – the long and unusual story of Silver Moon Springs

ELTON, WI –  Nestled on Elton Creek, a natural trout stream in North Central Wisconsin about 60 miles northwest of my home, lies a fish farm with with quite a backstory to tell. The farm is Silver Moon Springs Trout Farm and its earliest beginnings were as part of an extensive mink farming operation. That …

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Excellent presentations, great location, good turnout for this year’s USTFA fall meeting, conference & show

TWIN FALLS, ID –  Every few years the US Trout Farmers Association (USTFA) migrates back to Idaho for its annual meeting, conference, and trade show. And why not?  This is, after all, the heart of American trout farming and, without a doubt, some of the most scenic and spectacular landscape found anywhere in the nation. …

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From the Field: Gollon Brothers Bait

Trip to Gollon Brothers Live Bait:  Why’d it take me so long to visit this impressive operation in my backyard? STEVENS POINT, WI –  No excuses.  It’s only a 25-mile drive from home and I’d been thinking about it for years. But I have to confess, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally …

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FROM THE FIELD: Producing food, fish, and lots of smiles at the Hunger Task Force farm and fish hatchery in WI

FRANKLIN, WI – Like many of you who have to spend much time hunched over a computer or behind a desk, I tend to think any day is a great day to be out on a fish farm. But I might have been rethinking that a bit this past April when I headed over to …

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Wouldn’t be spring without my annual From the Floor Report; this time Aquaculture America ’14 in Seattle

SEATTLE, WA – Whew, I don’t know about you, but it seems to me like that last year sure rolled around quick. Here it is time again for my annual “From the Floor” show round-up and I’m kind of feeling like I just wrapped up Nashville (Aquaculture 2013). In any case, another show has come …

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From the Field – Time for a few reflections on the past year, plus a look ahead at new challenges of 2014

by Bob Robinson As we all gather in Seattle in early February for the Aquaculture America 2014 conference and trade show, it seems an appropriate time to look back on the year that just was and look ahead to this year that’s just beginning.   2013 in the rearview mirror What were some of the …

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From the Field – Herman Brothers Feature

by Bob Robinson Fish stocking, lake and pond management, all geared for maximum fishing fun  PEORIA, IL –  I think we can all agree the term “sportsman’s paradise” is grossly overused.  But for any serious outdoorsperson, a visit to the Herman Brothers Lake and Land Management operation here is quite honestly, well … pretty much …

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From the Field : Visiting farms, folks, facilities in the Sunshine

For this special Focus on Florida Aquaculture issue of Fish Farming News, FFN roving columnist Bob Robinson traveled to the Sunshine State to look in on several farms and facilities for this month’s From the Field report. While by no means a comprehensive review of food fish and gamefish production in the state, his overview …

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From the Field – Kasco

Sticking close to home: An inside look at Kasco Marine and the folks who work there PRESCOTT, WI –  Okay, it may be a little self-serving, but I have decided to dedicate this month’s column to one of my favorite subjects. Kasco Marine and the great people who make it fun and productive to work …

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Bob’s annual report from the WI aquaculture conference: Good turnout, super products showcased, lots of snow

FROM THE FIELD BY BOB ROBINSON  PEWAUKEE, WI – Regular readers know that around this time of the year you can pretty much count on spring show reports from me. Usually one from the big national aquaculture conference and show (wherever it happens to be) and another from the Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference, which is basically …

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Visiting Pentair AES’s aquaponics facility

APOPKA, FL – Aquaponics is just about the hottest thing going in aquaculture these days. From backyard systems for neophytes, to full scale commercial operations, aquaponics – which is simply defined as growing aquatic animals (fish) and plants together in a recirculating system – is one of the fastest growing segments of our industry.  Regular …

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A trip to the Ozarks to visit Neosho National Fish Hatchery

by Bob Robinson  NEOSHO, MO — Nestled into this scenic southwest corner of Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks is a shining star. A landmark US Fish and Wildlife Service facility known as the Neosho National Fish Hatchery (NFH). This facility is the oldest continuously operating national hatchery in the entire US, providing fish …

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Travels with Bob: This time, a unique visit to Aquaculture 2012 show, conference in Prague

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC —  Okay, the dateline (and headline) on this column gives it away. Yes, I ventured far from Packer Land this past September to attend the Aquaculture 2012 conference and trade show here in beautiful Prague. Wow.   Read the rest and much, much more in Issue 5, 2012 of Fish Farming News.  …

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Family business provides fish, equipment on the Canadian prairie

FROM THE FIELD  by Bob Robinson EDMONTON, ALBERTA – This past fall I had the distinct pleasure of visiting a unique fish farm and fish farming family here in the Canadian western prairie province of Alberta, in an area that is more or less due north of Missoula, MT. As I stepped off the plane …

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Water gives life; use it wisely or lose it

FROM THE FIELD by Bob Robinson Let’s get serious for a moment. Have you ever stopped and really, truly given thought to just how important water is – both to our daily lives, not to mention the profession we have all chosen? I think about water daily because that is the business I am in …

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Dragging me along into social media as I concede to modern times

FROM THE FIELD by Bob Robinson Like many of you, I can remember as if it was yesterday the need when traveling to stop frequently at a roadside phone booth and check ahead before my next farm visit, call home, or see about messages at the office. I sometimes felt like Superman considering how often …

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Want to grow fish in Virginia? Inside VSU’s Randolph Farm aquaculture facility

PETERSBURG, VA – Tucked along the edge of the Virginia State University (VSU) campus here is the impressive VSU Randolph Farm aquaculture facility. Randolph Farm, for those who may not be familiar with it, is a “416-acre agricultural learning center … utilized for research and education in areas of new and niche crops, alternative cropping …

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SPECIAL FOCUS – A collection of the best of Bob Robinson’s From the Field columns

Visiting Iowa’s North Star Fish Hatchery, three generations of pond stocking success From the Field by Bob Robinson MONTOUR, IA – Folks around here like to say Arlo Hinegardner was a little ahead of his time. Back in 1939, as much of the country was still feeling the effects of the Great Depression, Arlo had …

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Sturgeon, Asian carp, walleyes, and more at this year’s Coolwater Fish Culture Workshop

FROM THE FIELD BY BOB ROBINSON STEVENS POINT, WI – On a good day, I can make it from my house to the Holiday Inn here in less than 30 minutes. But this is Wisconsin, so I can’t say I was surprised when the 26-mile drive took me the best part of an hour in …

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From the Field – Thoughts from the floor at AA2012 in Vegas

by Bob Robinson LAS VEGAS, NV – The theme for this year’s Aquaculture America Conference and Trade Show was “Bringing All Players To The Table.” Appropriate, since Las Vegas’s popular Paris hotel and casino complex was the headquarters for the annual gathering. Someone once told me that the aquaculture industry almost always has a good …

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From the Field – Visiting the Hales at Boatcycle, Inc. in TX

In East Texas, visiting the Hales at Boatcycle Inc., providers of aerators, supplies, tilapia, and more From the Field by Bob Robinson HENDERSON, TX – During a recent visit to Texas I took a little side trip over to East Texas to visit my friends Ken and Kirk Hale at their unique business, Boatcycle Inc. …

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