Anyone interested in yabby farming will be interested in this -
A Code of Practice for the Farming and Handling of Yabbies.
Produced by Mulataga Aquaculture & the Yabby Producers Association of WA, the Code provides a step-by-step guide to successful yabby farming and current industry best practice. It draws on the expertise and experience of industry members and the Department of Fisheries, providing a perfect reference for both prospective and established yabby farmers.
Yabby farming is becoming increasingly popular with farmers looking to diversify their farm activities. Its growing popularity has prompted the Yabby Producers Association to provide a set of guidelines aimed at ensuring the successful development of a sustainable industry.
The Code of Practice comprises a durable manual and a 30 minute video (VHS, PAL, colour, unrated) covering the following areas:
- Starting up:
- What you need to get started.
- how to stock your dams.
- what sort of yields to expect.
- Choosing suitable dams:
- features to look for.
- what to avoid.
- the importance of a reliable water supply.
- dam size.
- Feeding:
- how much to feed.
- where to feed.
- when to feed.
- what to feed and what to avoid.
- Seasonal influences on dam management:
- seasonal influences on yabby production and quality.
- re-stocking.
- the importance of keeping records.
- Harvesting and handling:
- how often to harvest.
- what is the best harvesting method.
- best times to harvest.
- gill washing and rinsing.
- Grading. Packaging. Sanitation.
- Quality assurance:
- chemical residue testing in yabbies.
- the importance of maintaining quality for export.
- the role of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
- bacterial contamination.
- algae toxins.
- pesticides and chemicals.
- Water management
- start up time.
- dams and roaded catchments.
- evaporation rates.
- Keeping yabbies healthy:
- the importance of gill washing.
- importation of freshwater crayfish.
- external fouling organisms.
- bacterial infections.
- health certification.
- Safety:
- vehicle position at the dam.
- correct lifting and pulling of traps.
