Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) are cultured throughout the Midwest. Perch may be cultured for sale as either food or stock enhancement, with the latter being the most prominent. In 2018, Ohio State University received funding from the USDA NIFA North Central Regional Aquaculture Center to conduct split pond and intensively aerated (3.75 kw/1.00 ha) on-farm Extension demonstrations at two yellow perch facilities in central Ohio. Brehm’s Perch Farm LLC (West Liberty, Ohio) modified three existing ponds into one split pond, and Millcreek Perch Farms LLC (Marysville, Ohio) conducted the intensively aerated demonstrations. Brehm’s split pond ratio is approximately 25% fish culture area and 75% waste treatment area, for a total water surface area of 0.40 ha. The split pond utilized submersible pumps (Xylem, Goulds Water Technology, Seneca Falls, New York) to lift water into the fish culture area from the waste treatment area, and the turnover rate was 113% per day. For decades, these two farms have stocked newly feed-habituated yellow perch in May at approximately 98,842/ha. The ponds were stocked at twice the normal rate (approximately 197,684/ha) for the 2018 demonstrations. Water quality was mostly maintained within acceptable parameters throughout the project. Fish length/weight samples were conducted at the start of the demonstrations, approximately monthly during the production season, and again at harvest. In the fall, Brehm’s 0.40 ha split pond had a net yield of 1,595 kg. Total amount of feed fed was 1,728 kg (Zeigler Bros., Inc., East Berlin, Pennsylvania) for a feed conversion ratio of approximately 1.08. Survival was estimated at approximately 90%. Significant discrepancies can be found when harvesting any perch pond due to the disproportionate growth rate between male and female fish, as well as perch that never habituated to feed and yet managed to avoid being cannibalized. Fish smaller than 10.16 cm are presumed to have never habituated to feed during the habituation process. Weight ranges for yellow perch at harvest may be as low as 75 perch/kg up to 12.5 or more perch/kg, and the perch in the split pond averaged 36.4 perch/kg.
At the conclusion of the funded 2018 on-farm Extension demonstration projects, Brehm’s and Millcreek’s historical results indicated to them that this work helped them achieve moderate to high survival rates and typical or higher than average individual lengths and weights. In addition to production parameters, Brehm’s appreciated the ease of harvest and feeding. Producers were content enough with the results that they have continued to utilize these alternative pond-based technologies. In 2019, Brehm’s connected two more ponds into an additional split pond (approximately 54% fish culture and 46% waste treatment), and in 2021, Brehm’s built three more ponds which are now connected into another modified split pond. Stocking rates continue, when fish are available, to be double the normal historical rate. This presentation will highlight some of the Extension demonstration project results, photos and aerial views of the farm, and the farmer’s thoughts on why they have continued to incorporate split ponds on their farm.