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A
STEP FORWARD FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN KOI TRADE AND THE
SOUTH AFRICAN KOI FRATERNITY
By
Collin Nel
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As all would
know Orient Koi Farm can always be counted on to
produce high quality small to medium sized Koi.
However, a problem we have faced is in growing these
high quality koi to jumbo size, owing to our
facilities not being big enough.
All of this
has now changed. In December 2005 a meeting was held
between Orient Koi Farm, Happy Koi, Nishikigoi Farm,
Wikkies Pompe and Lectro Group. On the agenda there
was only one point for discussion, this being the G1
Project. The meeting lasted an hour and the decision
was unanimous: The G1 Project was a go.
The G1
project is the development of a mud pond to grow Koi
to jumbo size within two to three years at Orient
Koi Farm. The mud pond was designed by the parties
involved with each company applying their expertise
where it was needed.
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The G1 Mud
Pond Project statistics are as follows:
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The ground
area is 5 000m²
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The water
service area is 3 600m²
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The average
depth is 3m
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The deepest
point is 3.5m
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The
shallowest point is 1.5m
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The maximum
water capacity is 11 million litres.
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The maximum
stocking density is 1 100 koi of 1m
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The optimal
stocking density is 250 koi of 40-50cm
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The growth
expectations are between 30 and 40cm per season.
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The pond
will be aerated at 3500 litres/min.
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The koi will
be fed daily at regular intervals on Saki Hikari,
Superkoi and natural food.
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The G1 mud
pond can be emptied at a rate of 500 000 litres p/h
if needed.
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The G1 mud
pond will be monitored 24 hours per day via
satellite and data lines for security purposes.
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The SAKTA
and KBI standards will be applied at all times.
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What is our
purpose with this huge mud pond?
The need for
this dam arose upon the realization that there is a
need for show winning quality koi already grown to
at least 65cm in
South Africa
Buying
these koi from
Japan
is expensive and risky. We decided to buy nisai of
Tategoi quality (sourced from the most successful
Japanese breeders) and to grow them to 65–70 cm.
At
harvesting should any Koi turn out not be of show
quality standard it will be utilized for breeding
purposes by Orient Koi Farm.
The Tatesta
bred on Orient Koi Farm will also be grown in this
mud pond – an excellent test for colour and body
shape.These
koi will of course only be moved to G1 after 30 days
quarantining and KHV testing.
Because of
the sensitivity of this program and the obvious risk
involved our farm will be closed to the public. This decision coincides with the opening of
our outlet – Orient Koi @ Wikkies,
Lawrence street
, Queenswood, Pretoria. The
public will only be allowed on the farm by
appointment and once again only into certain areas.
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Why were
these entities approached to get involved in the
project?
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HappyKoi –
Hannes has the obvious experience to select a
Tategoi destined to become a Supreme Grand Champion. Hannes does the quarantining of koi from Japan
at his facility in Stellenbosch, travels with the
koi to
Pretoria
to oversee the introduction of the Japanese koi into
the G1 mud pond. William has the ability to sell ice to an
Eskimo. Hannes
will also be involved in the selection of Tatesta on
Orient Koi Farm. HappyKoi has potential access to numerous
clients overseas whom are constantly looking for
show winners.
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Nishikigoi
Farm – via our mutual working agreement Kurt has
been involved in the layout and construction of the
G1 mud pond. Kurt
has a good number of years’ valuable experience in
growing on Japanese koi. Superkoi has been tested on Nishikigoi Farm
and Orient Koi Farm over a year period, whereupon we
have had excellent results and therefore chose this
as our main feed in conjunction with Saki Hikari for
the G1 project.
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Wikkies
Pompe – Wikkie is an avid koi hobbyist and a very
successful businessman with an exceptional knowledge
of pumps, blowers etc. Wikkie is the supplier of all pumping
equipment which will enable us to empty the G1 mud
pond quickly if required. |
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Lectro Group
– Chris, another enthusiastic koi hobbyist is the
owner of Lectro Group – one of the biggest
security companies in the Gold Fields. His expertise
is utilized regarding the safe keeping of the Koi
via alarm systems, CCTV and satellite monitoring
around the G1 mud pond and on the farm in general. All electronic systems will also be monitored
by Lectro Group.
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Why is this
a big step forward for the South African Koi Trade
and the koi fraternity?
This project
will open the South African Koi Market to the world
to buy safe Koi of exceptional quality. South
African Koi will be sold alongside Japanese koi to
the local and international market.
The G1 mud
pond is one of the biggest Koi mud ponds in
Africa
if not the biggest.
The South
African Koi market will now have access to Japanese
Koi of quality and size, for much less than the cost
of importing the equivalent from
Japan. Also on offer will be the best of locally bred
South African Koi.
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How do I get
hold of one of these beauties?
Make sure
you subscribe to our newsletter to obtain up to date
information on this project!
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