2022 Iowa Aquaculture Conference

Aquaculture production is the fastest growing segment of agriculture on a global scale and is a growing industry in Iowa. Global seafood demand is at an all-time high, with more than half the total seafood consumed coming from aquaculture. Demand for U.S. seafood is growing, increasing by 41% from 1990 to 2018. In 2018, total farm sales from U.S. aquaculture hit $1.51 billion – up from $1.09 billion in 2005.

Interest in indoor fish and shrimp production in Iowa is also growing as more than 100 people attended the 2022 Iowa Aquaculture Conference in Ames, Iowa, on January 20th. Iowa farmers are looking for opportunities to fill consumers’ demands for fresh, high quality, locally grown fish and shrimp. For many farmers, fish and shrimp may provide an avenue to enter into livestock production or diversify their current livestock farms.

A dynamic group of speakers presented valuable information on rules and regulations, permitting aquaculture facilities, business planning, feeding, aquaponics and marketing.

If you have questions about opportunities in aquaculture, give the Coalition a call for a no-cost and completely confidential farm visit.

Presentations from the 2022 event, as well as past conferences, can be downloaded below.

Iowa Aquaculture Conference Presentations

Rules and Regulations Update
Brian Waddingham, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers
Overview of the environmental rules and regulations that must be considered when starting a fish or shrimp farm.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Aquaculture Licenses & Permitting
Alan Johnson, Iowa DNR
An explanation of the permits needed to raise and sell fish and shrimp in Iowa.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Financial Benchmarking and Forecasting Strategies
Brian Tapp, Iowa State University 
An in-depth look at what is needed to be successful and profitable in aquaculture production including the development of a business plan and knowing your costs of production.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Pushing Forward – Opportunities to Drive Progress in Aquaculture Feed in Iowa
Dr. Kurt Rosentrater, Iowa State University
A look at what is going on in the aquaculture feed industry today and what the future holds for new ingredients to improve fish performance.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

The Role of Aquaponics in Aquaculture
Glenn Ford, InCity Farms
Hear how InCity farms is building a network of Aquaponics farms around the country to serve as a catalyst in the economic development of small communities.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Direct to Consumer Marketing
Katie Olthoff, ChopLocal
Overview of how ChopLocal, an online marketplace, works with farmers to sell their products direct-to-consumer.
Download (PowerPoint)

Day 1

 

Session 1

 

Day 1 – Session 1 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

30 Years of Observing Iowa’s Aquaculture Industry
Joe Morris – Iowa State University
View PowerPoint

Intensifying Pond Production Systems in the Midwest
Matt Smith – The Ohio State University
View PowerPoint

Best Management Practices for Aquaculture
Joe Morris – Iowa State University
View PowerPoint

 

Session 2

 

Day 1 – Session 2 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

Rules & Regulations Update
Brian Waddingham – Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers
View PowerPoint

Regulations for the Food Fish Market
Scott Platt – Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals
View PowerPoint

Role of Markets
Brian Tapp – Iowa State University
View PowerPoint

 

Session 3

 

Day 1 – Session 3 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

The Business of Aquaculture
Carole Engle – Engle-Stone Aquatic$, LLC.
View PowerPoint

 

Day 2

 

Session 1

 

Day 2 – Session 1 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

Session 2

 

Day 2 – Session 2 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

Session 3

 

Day 2 – Session 3 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

Session 4

 

Day 2 – Session 4 from ISUCALS on Vimeo.

Introduction to Aquaculture
Joe Morris, Iowa State University
Everything you wanted to know about aquaculture, but were afraid to ask.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

The Business of Aquaculture
Carole Engle, Engle-Stone Aquatic$, LLC
Find out what the keys to economic success are in fish and shrimp production.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Shrimp Production
Luke Roy, Auburn University
The history of shrimp production and tips for producers using bioflock.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Best Management Practices for Aquaculture
Joe Morris, Iowa State University
BMP’s for fish and shrimp farmers using recirculating systems.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Water Quality for Fish Farmers
Matt Smith, Ohio State University
Water quality challenges in recirculating systems and how to overcome them.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Rules and Regulations Update
Brian Waddingham, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers
Overview of the environmental rules and regulations that must be considered when starting a fish or shrimp farm.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Permitting Aquaculture Facilities
Alan Johnson, Iowa DNR
An explanation of the permits needed to raise and sell fish and shrimp in Iowa.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Fish Health
Alex Primus, University of Minnesota
Learn about the Pillars of Fish Health and the diseases, bacteria and viruses fish are susceptible to.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

The Power of Strong State Aquaculture Associations
Carole Engle, Engle-Stone Aquatic$, LLC
Why Iowa needs a strong Aquaculture Association and success stories from other states.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

National Aquaculture Association Update
Paul Zajicek, NAA Executive Director
What the NAA does for fish and shrimp farmers and why it’s important to be a member.
Download (PowerPoint)

 

Farmer Panel
Joe Sweeney, Eagles Catch
Julie Tegland, J & J Dry Dock Shrimp
Matt Clarken, VeroBlue Farms
Myron Kloubec, Kloubec Koi Farm
Fish and shrimp farmers share their experiences and offer insights on what they have learned.

Aquaculture Videos