Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: 1) conducted surveys of Hispanic consumers in Kentucky to investigate the potential direct marketing opportunities for various farmed products, 2)developed an new mathematical model of pastured poultry operations, 3) demonstrated softshell crayfish production at Kentucky State University 4) investigated the marketability of frozen soft shell crayfish to local restaurants, 5) engaged two M.S. level graduate students in thesis research using topics covered in this project. Events: 1) Presented research results in various professional conferences such as the World Aquaculture Society/Aquaculture America meetings, Southern Agricultural Economics Association meetings, and Kentucky Academy of Science meetings, 2) Demonstrated softshell crayfish production during the 2009 Kentucky State University Aquaculture Field Day, 3) Demonstrated profitable bee-keeping alternatives at the annual Bluegrass Bee School (2008 to 2010)at Frankfort, KY, 4) Collaborated with a producer in Verona, KY during 2008 for production of tilapia via cage culture. The producer harvested successfully and sold fish locally. Products: 1) Two Kentucky State University graduate students, Mr. Nathan Bussen and Mr. Kelly Probst, are completing their M.S. thesis based on this project, 2)A business feasibility model, as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, for small-scale apiculturists to predict economics and multi-year business financial analyses results, 3)An optimization model for a small-scale soft shell crayfish production using Microsoft Excel, 4) A business feasibility model in Microsoft Excel for small-scale Kentucky producers to enter the pastured poultry business with direct sales as their only marketing alternative. Dissemination of results: This was done via two media: extension publications and workshops. The extension publications include publishing several articles about marketing and economics in the Kentucky Aquaculture Newsletter, and an article in the Journal of Extension (these are all listed below). Training was provided to a collaborating producer in Verona, KY, during 2008, towards the production of tilapia. The PI travelled to the producer's farm and taught the producer about management of a floating cage of tilapia. After 120 days from stocking, the fish were harvested and the producer sold the fish locally. The PI and graduate students participated in various KY State University Farm Field Days at the KSU research farm, where economics and marketing results related to pastured poultry, meat goats, and aquaculture products were disseminated through verbal presentations. During 2009 a softshell crayfish demonstration system was initiated at Kentucky State University as part of this project and training was provided in molting crayfish to attendees of the 2009 KSU Aquaculture Field Day. PARTICIPANTS: 1) Mr. Nathan Bussen, M.S. student, Kentucky State University. His thesis is regarding economic potential of soft shell crayfish production and baitfish marketing in Kentucky 2) Mr. Kelly Probst, M.S. student, Kentucky State University. His thesis is about discovery of alternative and direct markets that are profitable at a small-scale 3)Producer from Verona, KY. He successfully collaborated with small-scale tilapia productiona nd amrketing during 2008. 4) Mr. Steven Skelton, Research Assistant, Kentucky State University. Mr. Skelton assisted with data in development of an economic model of pastured poultry in KY 5) Dr. Thomas Webster, PI, Kentucky State University. Dr. Webster assisted in providing data and management guidance in development of the apiculture business feasibility model TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: 1) Hispanic consumers were targeted as ptential buyers of fresh farm products, 2) small-scale farmers in Kentucky were targeted for all agricultural enterprises investigated in the project these included small scale aquaculture farmers, poultry farmers, and meat goat farmers, 3) white tablecloth restaurants that feature locally-grown foods EFFORTS: small-scale farmers were targeted for all educational/outreach activities of this project; other groups targeted in the efforts were all agricultural extension professionals who require updated agricultural marketing information relevant to small-scale producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A full-farm mathematical model that was originally proposed was not implemented. Instead, small-scale models related to business feasibility of pastured poultry, softshell crayfish, and meat goats were developed. The reason for this change was that there were no data, from primary and secondary sources, that investigated the biological/production interactions between concurrent production different agricultural enterprises. For example, that there was no data associated with culturing goats and pastured poultry sequentially or simulataneously on pasture. Hence, there was no advantages to be realized to model multiple enterprises simultaneously, and the various mathematical models were developed based on separate agriicultural enterprises.
Impacts
1. This project showed that live tilapia fish could be grown in floating cages and sold as live to Hispanics in Kentucky. This finding has increased the numbers of existing farmers with ponds who are considering tilapia production for the local Hispanic market. There are tilapia producers in Oldham County, KY, and Shelby County, KY, who are both focusing on the sale of unprocessed fish to Hispanics. 2. Another finding from this study is the demand for softshell crayfish as a food item in white tablecloth restaurants. This finding has led to a Kentucky resident, now moved to Florida, to invest in a backyard crayfish molting project, primarily for the restaurant market. 3. This project demonmstrated the profit potential from selling local honey at a small scale. This result was disseminated over the last 3 years through the Bluegrass Bee School which resulted in an increase in the interest of small-scale farmers into having a commercial apiculture operation. 4. This project showed the profitability of small-scale pastured polutry farming, in conjunction with direct marketing to Hispanic consumers. Recent years in Kentucky has seen an upswing in pastured poultry operations for both meat and egg products. Part of this trend can be attributed to producers' consideration of the underlying profitability and business feasibility, with respect to modest capital and labor requirements, of pastured poultry.
Publications
- JOURNAL ARTICLES: Dasgupta, S., K. R. Probst, and S. Wesley. (2011) Hispanic Consumer Perceptions of Kentucky-Grown Pigs Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, in press.
- Dasgupta, S., S. Wesley, and K. R. Probst. (2010) Hispanic Consumers' Willingness to Purchase Aquaculture Products Directly From Farmers: Results from a Recent Survey. Journal of Extension, in press.
- Dasgupta, S., J. Eaton, and A. Caporelli. (2010) Consumer Perceptions of Freshwater Prawns: Results from a Kentucky Farmers' Market. Journal of Shellfish Research, in press.
- Dasgupta, S., J. Eaton, and A. Caporelli. (2009) Consumer Perceptions of Kentucky-Grown Chicken Products in Farmers' Markets. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 2(70) 133-140.
- Ogunsanya, T. and S. Dasgupta. (2009) Characteristics of Baitfish Retailers in Kentucky: Evidence of a Market to Support a Regional Industry. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, (21): 120-127.
- Dasgupta, S., N. D. Bussen, and K. R. Probst. (2011) The Economics of small-scale soft-shell crayfish production. Aquaculture Economics and Management, in press.
- EXTENSION ARTICLES: Dasgupta, S., K. R. Probst, N. D. Bussen, A. Velasquez, A. T. McDonald, and J. H. Tidwell. (2010) Willingness to pay for freshwater prawns in direct-to-consumer markets: Results from Kentucky. Kentucky Aquatic Farming, 23(1):6-8.
- Dasgupta, S. and R. Durborow. (2009) Small Scale Marketing of Aquaculture Products. Southern Region Aquaculture Center (SRAC) Publication Number 350. http://srac.tamu.edu/tmppdfs/7815777-SRAC0350.pdfCFID=7815777&CFTOKE N=43120957&jsessionid=9030d2d2b5ee0064a6a042683d7e7ec3e726.
- Dasgupta, S. (2008) Selling Aquaculture Products in Kentucky Farmers' Markets: Results from Marketing Research. Kentucky Aquatic Farming, Vol 21(2):1-3.
- Dasgupta, S. (2008) Forecasting Production and Costs of Largemouth Bass Stockers and Foodfish Production Systems. Available for download from: http://www.ksuaquaculture.org/Publications.htm.
- Dasgupta, S. and S. Skelton. (2007) Pastured Poultry: Example Annual Budget for a Small-Scale Farm. http://www.kysu.edu/land_grant/Pastured%20PoultryBudget.pdf
- Probst, K., S. Dasgupta, and K. Bates. 2010. Using Cluster Analysis and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to Identify Live and Fresh Seafood Sales Potential in Kentucky's Farmers' Markets. World Aquaculture Society 2010, Book of Abstracts, p. 796.
- Bussen, N. D. and S. Dasgupta. 2009. Economics of a soft shell crayfish operation. World Aquaculture Society 2009, Book of Abstracts, p. 45.
- Dasgupta, S., A. Caporelli, and K. R. Probst. 2009. Selling Aquaculture Products in Kentucky's Farmers' Markets: Results from Marketing Research. World Aquaculture Society 2009, Book of Abstracts, p. 81.
- Ogunsanya T, and S. Dasgupta. 2008. Marketing baitfish in Kentucky: results from a survey. World Aquaculture Society 2008, Book of Abstracts, p. 268.
- Osunde, A. B., and S. Dasgupta. (2007) Profitability of Small Scale Freshwater Prawn Processing in Kentucky. World Aquaculture, Vol. 38(2): 16-18.
- Dasgupta, S. and R. Durborow. (2007) Profitability and Management of Low-Tech Catfish Farming: The Case of Kentucky. World Aquaculture, Vol. 38(1): 14-16.
- ABSTRACTS: Dasgupta, S., and N. D. Bussen. 2010. Profit-maximizing and Risk-efficient Strategies for Managing a Soft-Shell Crayfish Operation. World Aquaculture Society 2010, Book of Abstracts, p. 256.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The following activities have been completed: 1. Surveys to collect market access data from farmers' markets, direct-to-consumer markets, restaurants, bait shops, and pay lakes that would be outlets amenable to small-scale agricultural production in Kentucky. The products investigated in these surveys include freshwater prawns, catfish, tilapia, goats, soft shell crayfish, and baitfish. 2. Economic analyses were conducted for the business feasibility of a soft shell crayfish farm, a baitfish farm, and a small-scale pastured poultry farm. 3. A prospective baitfish producer in Kentucky, Mr. Evrett King was assisted with the baitfish economics and business feasibility model. 4. Three Kentucky State University M.S.-level aquaculture students, Ms. Angela Caporelli, Mr. Nathan Bussen, and Mr. Kelly Probst have conducted marketing surveys and economic analyses as part of the M.S. thesis. A fourth graduate student, Ms. Tiffany Ogunsanya, participated in characterizing baitfish markets in Kentucky which resulted in a journal publication. Two Kentucky State University undergraduate students, Ms. LaTasha Bell and Ms. Jessica Gordon, participated in this project by taking telephone surveys and subsequent data entry. 5. This project has resulted in discovery of new, lucrative markets in a small-scale production setting, particularly in direct-to-consumer markets. This information was made available to producers via extension publications. 6. Various professional and extension presentations were made where information generated in this project were delivered to researchers, students, and Kentucky producers. PARTICIPANTS: Kentucky State University Aquaculture graduate students Ms. Angela Caporelli, this project will help her complete her M.S. thesis Mr. Nathan Bussen, this project will help him complete him M.S. thesis Mr. Kelly Probst, this project will help him complete him M.S. thesis Kentucky State University undergraduate students Ms. LaTasha Bell. Her participation has provided her with professional training in surveying and data entry. Ms. Jessica Gordon. Her participation has provided her with professional training in surveying, data entry, and literature search. Kentucky State University professionals Dr. Kenneth Andries. Dr. Andries is providing the PI with technical assistace in developing mathematical models of forage crop production. Mr. Steven Skelton. Mr. Skelton is providing the PI with pastured broiler production and risk data. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include Kentucky producers such as aquaculture producers, livestock produces, and marketing agenst such as local distributors. The Kentucky Aquaculture Association members and Kentucky Goat Producers Association members are the direct beneficiaries of this project's results. Other targeted audiences include limited resource farmers who are able to have small scale broiler and baitfish operations to supply local markets, such as live animal sales to Hispanics and live bait supplies to local shops for cash income. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The following changes in knowledge were observed from this project: 1. This project found that farmers' markets were a suitable outlet for Kentucky-grown freshwater prawns. 2. The project found that Hispanic consumers in Kentucky are very willing to buy fresh, unprocessed fish, live chickens, and live goats directly from producers at profitable prices. 3. This project found that many farmers' market managers are willing to feature live fish as part of their future product line. 4. This project found that most Kentucky pay lake operators are pleased with their current catfish suppliers, i.e., these markets are difficult for novice producers to enter. 5. This project found that while Kentucky bait shops will purchase minnows and golden shiners from local suppliers, the main product that they are seeking are crayfish, either live or frozen, hard shell or soft shell. 6. This project found the Kentucky white tablecloth restaurants are extremely willing to purchase frozen soft shell crayfish from local producers at 2-3 times the breakeven price. 7. This project found that small-scale pastured broiler production even on a 1-acre plot can be profitable if the birds are sold live to Hispanics. 8. This project found that the true willingness to pay for freshwater prawns in direct-to-consumer markets is between $8-9/lb, for whole animals, provided the animals are large, and freshly-harvested. The project also found that consumer race and education significantly affected their willingness to pay for prawns. The following changes in actions were observed: 1. Kentucky prawn producers have an accurate willingness to pay estimate for large freshwater prawns in direct markets. This assists the producers in setting prawn prices and also in differential pricing, based upon size. 2. Many Kentucky producers are considering diversification into small scale broiler production in their cattle/goat pastures as a means of supplementary income. This action will also lead to fewer cattle disease incidences because some of the disease-carrying pests and eggs in cattle manure will be consumed by the broilers. 3. Many Kentucky bait shops were unaware of local live bait production, are now willing to depend on regional suppliers than out-of-state suppliers. This is because bait shops in eastern Kentucky are poorly supplied by live haulers out of Arkansas, which is the main supplier of live bait in Kentucky.
Publications
- Journal Articles Dasgupta, S., J. Eaton, and A. Caporelli. (2010) Consumer Perceptions of Freshwater Prawns Results from a Kentucky Farmers Market. Journal of Shellfish Research, in press.
- Dasgupta, S., J. Eaton, and A. Caporelli. (2009) Consumer Perceptions of Kentucky-Grown Chicken Products in Farmers Markets. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 2(70) in press.
- Dasgupta, S., K. R. Probst, N. D. Bussen, A. Velasquez, A. T. McDonald, and J. H. Tidwell. (2010) Willingness to pay for freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in direct-to-consumer markets Results from Kentucky. Aquaculture Economics and Management, (pending).
- Newsletter Articles Dasgupta, S., K. R. Probst, N. D. Bussen, A. Velasquez, A. T. McDonald, and J. H. Tidwell. (2010) Willingness to pay for freshwater prawns in direct-to-consumer markets Results from Kentucky. Kentucky Aquatic Farming, 23(1)6-8.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A survey of all registered Farmers' markets in Kentucky has been completed. This survey provided data on the transactions costs of selling products in farmers' markets (Objective 1). This survey also generated information about the proclivity of farmers' markets to have live animal and fish sales. An ongoing survey of unregistered farmers' markets in Kentucky is revealing encouraging data for sale of live animals to Hispanic and Asian population of Kentucky. A mathematical model of beef cattle backgrounding and meat goat farming has been completed (Objective 2). These models are able to accurately predict the resource requirements and profit potential of these livestock operations in the setting of a limited-resource Kentucky farm. Currently a vegetable rotation model is under investigation. Economic analysis of crayfish culture with a very low-investment technology has been completed that shows that positive returns are feasible using existing farm ponds and neighborhood bait shops (Objective 2). PARTICIPANTS: Students who participated in the project: Ms. Tiffany Ogunsanya and Mr. Nathan Bussen, graduate students at Kentucky State University helped on the baitfish research project. Mr. Kelly Probst and Ms. Angela Caporelli, graduate students at Kentucky State University helped on the farmers' market research project. Other researchers who assisted the principal investigator: Dr. Kenneth Andries, Animal Scientist, Kentucky State University, helped on the beef cattle backgrounding and meat goat production project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project are small-scale and limited resource farmers in Kentucky and surrounding states. The main research results are relevenat to those farmes that have farm ponds and/or small pastures for aquaculture and small-scale livestock production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The main change in knowledge resulting from the current project is that Kentucky farmers have the option of selling live animals such as poultry, fish, and small mammals (goats, hogs) in some registered and many unregistered farmers' markets. Associated impacts on knowledge are that some registered farmers' markets exclusively source their products with a certain geographical radius /counties surrounding the market. Many farmers are unaware of the latent potential of this fact on marketing and advertisement of local farm products. Another impact of the current research relates to the discovery of a local/neighborhood market for bait hard shell and soft shell crayfish in Kentucky. Crayfish are the preferred bait for several sport species that Kentucky's natural waters are famous for, such as smallmouth bass and striped bass. This project have revealed that a large proportion of Kentucky's bait shops face an unaddressed demand for live bait crawfish, particularly soft shell crawfish. Economic analyses have shown that a low-tech soft shell crayfish production system is financially feasible. These results will help Kentucky farmers diversify into live bait production using existing farm ponds and out buildings, particularly in counties that have popular sport fisheries, such as Lake Cumberland, Kentucky Lake, Land Between the Lakes, etc. The current work on this project has also impacted Kentucky beef cattle and goat producers in outlining sustainable stocking densities based upon pasture availability and type of forages.
Publications
- Ogunsanya, T. and S. Dasgupta. (2009) Characteristics of Baitfish Retailers in Kentucky: Evidence of a Market to Support a Regional Industry. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, In Press.
- Ogunsanya T, and S. Dasgupta. 2008. Marketing baitfish in Kentucky: results from a survey. World Aquaculture Society 2008, Book of Abstracts, p. 268.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Progress has been made on goals 1 and 2. Goal 1: several investigations have been made with regards to marketing for small-scale/limited-resource farmers at a minimum transactions cost. For example, significant effort was put into investigating whether marketing baitfish in the small-scale is feasible in Kentucky, with very encouraging results. A new market with almost no transactions cost is under current investigation: selling fresh farm products directly to Hispanic consumers. Empirical evidence suggests that Hispanic consumers will approach a farm to purchase fresh vegetables, herbs, and live animals, at prices that rival those received from restaurant and farmers' markets. This project has investigated the potential of selling live tilapia to Hispanics, and the associated profit potential. In addition, the potential of selling live chickens, goats, and fresh peppers are being investigated currently. This information were incorporated in extension factsheets and
presented to farmers during the Kentucky State University (KSU) Land Grant Field Day during 2007 and during the KSU Goat "Third Thursday" farmer training event. Goal 2: economic models have been built for small scale entrerprises such as cow-calf, beef cattle backgrounding, meat goat, pastured poultry, and hay production. Several enterprise budgets were completed for the above enterprises and apiculture. The use of these models was explained to Kentucky State University and University of Kentucky agricultural extension professionals and para-professionals. The models and budgets were uploaded to Kentucky State University websites for free access to all interested parties.
PARTICIPANTS: Students who have benefitted from this project: 1. LaTasha Bell, KSU undergraduate, helped in survey data collection. 2. Tiffany Ogunsanya, KSU graduate student, helped in data collection and writing of a research manuscript and a extension bulletin. 3. Nathan Bussen, KSU graduate student, will use results of this project to complete a M.S. thesis. Farmers directly benefitting from this project: One farmer in northern Kentucky is cooperating to enact the results of this project by tying some direct marketing of tilapia. Other cooperators: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service personnel will be involved in discussing the project results with farmers.
TARGET AUDIENCES: 1. Small-scale farmers in Kentucky will be educated about new marketing opportunities. 2. Kentucky's Cooperative Agricultural Extension personnel will be trained on use of economic/management models for assisting farmers with farm planning decisions involving livestock & and aquaculture at the small scale. 3. Hispanic and other ethnic consumers will be provided with brochures in spanish and english that inform them about fresh/live food products available directly from Kentucky farms, including seasonality and pricing data.
Impacts
Goal 1 of the project helped discover a market for live tilapia among Hispanic consumers. This knowledge is currently put into practice by a farmer in northern Kentucky, who is planning on beginning a small-scale tilapia farm with the specific purpose for live/fresh sales. His success will be used as a template for other small-scale farmers, with existing farm ponds, to engage in limited, low-tech aquaculture for income supplementation. Goal2 of the project created several management/economics models of small-scale livestock enterprises using mathematical programming methods in Microsoft Excel. These models provide optimal management scenarios based on inputs of land, labor, input and output prices, etc. The models were designed to be farmer-friendly, i.e., they have a data interface where the user can list currently available resources and execute the model. Management results (i.e., optimal herd size, feed requirements, and rotational grazing schedules) and economics
results (costs, revenues, rates of return, etc.) are made available in a separate section. These models have tremendous predictive, and hence, farm planning value. These model are made avaialble to farmers and county agricultural extension agents in an effort to encourage their use for production planning purposes.
Publications
- Electronic publications: Dasgupta, S. and S. Skelton. (2007) Pastured Poultry: Example Annual Budget for a Small-Scale Farm. http://www.kysu.edu/land_grant/Pastured%20PoultryBudget.pdf
- Dasgupta, S. and S. Skelton. (2007) Small Scale Pastured Poultry: A Synopsis. http://www.kysu.edu/land_grant/Pastured%20Poultry%20Management.pdf
- Dasgupta, S. and K. Andries. (2007) Beef Cattle Backgrounding: Example Annual Budget for a Small-Scale Farm. http://www.kysu.edu/land_grant/BackgroundingBudget.pdf
- Dasgupta, S. and K. Andries. (2007) Cow-Calf Farming on a Small Scale: A Synopsis. http://www.kysu.edu/land_grant/Beef%20Cattle%20Management.pdf
- Dasgupta, S. and K. Andries. (2007) Small-Scale Meat Goat Management: A Synopsis. http://www.kysu.edu/land_grant/Meat%20Goat%20Management.pdf
- Ogunsanya, T., S. Dasgupta, and N. Bussen. (2007) Marketing Baitfish in Kentucky. http://www.ksuaquaculture.org/PDFs/Publications/Baitfish%20handout.pd f
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