Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I reckon Michael could set up a distributor in every state (some silly APer who can accept a pallet at a time and redistribute for a tiny fee)
It wouldn't be hard.

A tonne pallet is of course 40 25kg bags. The best before date for fish food (if not refridgerated) is not all that long - so getting rid of 40 bags in that time would, I believe, be a difficult task for a person in any state given that it is really only for perch.

oic... hadn't considered that

perhaps we could get him to whack a whole heap of chemical preservative in it

In a (certified) organic farm environment, chemical preservatives would stop me from buying it.

Dr Michael, are you a certified organic supplier?

Perhaps you should read the other three pages of the thread Adrian

Yep - KP was joking. Granted his jokes are not always funny, but in this instance it was at least clear that it was a joke

On the note of chemicals in food.

I've been very keen for ages to have food that was as organic as possible but I've been given a different perspective lately.

Sarah and I were (still are) very much wanting to have our baby born as naturally as possible and then fed natural stuff, etc. However, the birth didn't go smothly so Sarah got all the drugs. Since then a few things have continued to be a bit rough (we are all fine just hasn't been plane sailing).

When Dr.s have talked to me about this drug for Sarah and that Drug for Ēadweard basically without reservation I've said take the drug. It got me to thinking I don't have a problem with me or my family taking these drugs but how would I feel if I knew that my food had been fed them?

It seems my joke, poor as it was (thanks VB) has taken this thread OT. I seem to have a knack for that.

Sorry I missed this earlier VB.

Thats why I want to get a bag of this food. Main thing I wanted to check is the protein and these pellets are going to be 35% and my goldfish food says it's 40% but I was actually reading that slightly lower protein of around 35% is better for fancy goldfish as they are prone to digestive upsets with higher protein levels, so I'm sure they will do fine on the Perch pellets.

Also means I will have Perch food on hand when I finally get some SP.

Thanks AP and Dr mike

i have just caguth up on this thread.

What is the self life of the product in air tight conditions?

i'd be happy to get some here.

KP can you hook up melbourneers with good freight prices?

will give you OT concession points................

hehehe we'll see. It's about having a good account.
the old man would let me get some stuff in, and I could share the order...
OT Concession points? You can't seriously single ME out for OT!?!?!!? Sure maybe I'm the newest of those who go OT, and deserve some ribbing, but Humph! Seriously!!
Tell me, What do you know about keeping tortoises?

Hello Everyone,

A. I have been watching the posts on the forum. Clearly, freight is of concern so I thought I would do some research on freight rates. I have started with freight to Townsville and South East Queensland using a freight company called Followmont which runs freight from Brisbane to North Queensland and Gulf country and south to the North Coast of NSW as well a Western Queensland.

1. Estimated Prices of the Silver Perch Feed from Brisbane to Townsville including freight and GST. (For you Jaymie)

25kg $4.03/kg $100.63 per 25 kg bag
100kg $3.47/kg $ 86.83 per 25 kg bag
250kg $3.25/kg $ 81.15 per 25 kg bag
500kg $3.09/kg $ 77.18 per 25 kg bag
750kg $2.97/kg $ 74.27 per 25 kg bag
1000kg $2.76/kg $ 69.07 per 25 kg bag

2. Estimated Prices of the Silver Perch Feed from Brisbane to South East Queensland area including freight and GST.

25kg $3.72/kg $ 92.90 per 25 kg bag
100kg $3.22/kg $ 80.59 per 25 kg bag
250kg $3.00/kg $ 74.91 per 25 kg bag
500kg $2.88/kg $ 72.12 per 25 kg bag
750kg $2.87/kg $ 71.89 per 25 kg bag
1000kg $2.63/kg $ 65.79 per 25 kg bag

These prices a subject to change without notice and should be considered a good guide.

From the above table we can draw a number of conclusions

1. Freight is expensive and there is great benefit to be gained by a group of people working together to purchase feed.
2. For the people in Townsville you only need to buy 500 kg (20 bags) to be within your price of $3.00 per kg. Obviously if you buy 1 tonne then it is much cheaper.
3. Freighting to South East Queensland is almost as much as freighting to Townsvile.
4. Freighting single bags is not an economical way to go.

Followmont goes to many places (most key towns in Queensland and North NSW) so if a group want to get an idea of freight costs then contact me we details of the quantity of feed and the nearest town to where you are and i give you an approximate cost.

I am happy for someone in an area to act as a central point for a group. my suggestion is you should have it pre-sold before you ship and ship only what you need for the next 3 months.

If there are people in other States that can suggest a local freight company I can contact let me know. I find local freight companies to where goods have to go are best as they are usually looking for backloads and you can get favourable rates.

I will look at other areas such as Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and let you know. If you can help me with freight contacts that would be appreciated.

This is much cheaper than the price purchased by Savage-Goldfish!!!!

B. Shelf Life of Product.

Most products can easily last for 12 months and longer if stored correctly away from sunlight and moisture and sealed, preferably refrigerated. However, planning for a 3 month usage period is best, the shorter the better. We do not intend to hold too much product on the floor and would prefer to make to order as that way you get fresh feed.

There are some natural products available and approved that we use to help with shelf life.

C. Certified organic Supplier and manufacturer.

Some people have asked if I am a certified organic supplier. I am a certified manufacturer of organic supplements for livestock and aquaculture species with the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) the largest organic certifier in Australia. I am also USDA certified which means I can supply feed supplements to be fed to animals intended for the US organic export market. I am also a member of the BFA Standards Committee, the committee responsible for reviewing and revising Organic Standards for the BFA.

I hope this information is useful and I look forward to your feedback.

Kind regards,

Michael

You bet it is Michael, and thanks for taking the time to put it all together. I'm looking at the question of freight from Brisbane to Sydney for other reasons as well so I'd be interested in what you may come across.

Conversely I'll let you know when/how I get along with finding someone.

Just as an aside, are you aware of any upcoming changes or procedures that might have to be applied/applied for in order to get aquaponics "organically" certified?

I work in the freight industry in Vic, Michael. I can send you some contacts. We had a vic aquaponic get together last sunday and several ppl expressed interest in the pellets. Just need to get it firmed up over the next week or so. Will get back to you by early next week.