Producing fish with a fraction of the feed normally used in commercial systems would already be enough to attract attention. In Gl\u00f3ria de Dourados (MS), the Est\u00e2ncia Colorada experiment goes even further: it brings together eight species in the same system, uses rainwater collected from the roofs of pig farms, and allocates the surplus water to irrigate pastures for beef cattle farming. Still in the experimental phase, the fish farming project already supplies the property's cafeteria and is beginning to outline a new revenue stream in the field.<\/p>\n
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In an exclusive interview with the newspaper O Presente Rural, rural producer Celso Philippi Junior detailed the logic behind the model implemented on his farm, which integrates fish farming, pig farming, beef cattle farming, and renewable energy production. The proposal did not originate as an isolated tank within the property, but as part of a broader sustainability plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started structuring this Est\u00e2ncia Colorada project, we simultaneously developed a sustainability plan for the property involving the integration of pig farming, beef cattle farming, fish farming, and renewable energy production through the forests.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the cornerstones of the system is the use of rainwater. According to Philippi, the property channels water collected from the roofs of the pig farms and other structures into two lined cisterns. It is in this environment that fish production has been organized.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 17,000 m\u00b2 of roof space, where we channel rainwater into two lined cisterns. In these tanks, we produce eight species of fish that complement each other within a production pyramid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arrangement<\/h4>\n
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The system was assembled with species that occupy different roles within the tank. Four act as filter feeders, three act as predators, and one takes advantage of the material deposited at the bottom. The logic, according to the producer, is to exploit the natural dynamics of the water and reduce dependence on external inputs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are four species of filter-feeding fish, meaning they live by filtering water: tilapia, Hungarian carp, bighead carp, and colored carp. The technical team from Senar-MS comes here every month, providing technical and managerial assistance, and analyzes the water to determine the amount of organic matter, which is basically algae. Since we didn't do a complete harvest, these four species multiply a lot, especially the tilapia. So we added three species of predatory fish: dourado, matrinx\u00e3, and pintado. Their food is the fry. We already have matrinx\u00e3 and dourado weighing over 3 kg in the pond. And finally, there's the corimba, which eats all the residue that goes to the bottom of the tank. The species live in balance, synchronized.\u201d<\/p>\n
External feeding exists, but in volumes far below the standard for conventional fish farming. According to Philippi, feed is used especially for tilapia, for fry and also during fattening, in addition to helping with management during fish harvesting. \u201cThe volume of feed we offer represents between 10 and 20 liters of feed used in commercial farming. It is possible to raise them without giving feed, but we use it to make harvesting easier, which is done with a cast net.\u201d<\/p>\n
Low cost and destination of production<\/h4>\n
The tank also stands out for its isolation from the ground. The cisterns are lined with tarpaulin, preventing direct contact between the water and the soil. According to the producer, this influences the quality of the fish.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe tank is lined with a HDPE tarp, high-density polyethylene, the same material used to line pig manure tanks, so the water doesn't come into contact with the soil. The taste of the fish is spectacular.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with the presence of an aerator, the operating cost remains low, precisely because the system does not depend on large volumes of feed. "We have an aerator, but the cost is low because we work with a minimum amount of feed."<\/p>\n
Although the experiment is not yet for commercial purposes, the fish already have a defined use on the property. Harvesting is done regularly to provide protein for 200 meals per month. \u201cWe don\u2019t have this tank for commercial purposes, so I don\u2019t do a full harvest. We take fish to supply the cafeteria and also for leisure.\u201d Today, fish is included in the cafeteria menu at Est\u00e2ncia Colorada once a week. In the last harvest, carried out on April 15th, 60 kilos of fish were removed.<\/p>\n
From rain to pasture<\/h4>\n
The logic of water utilization doesn't end in the tank. After passing through the breeding system, the water flows to another link in the property, connecting fish farming to beef cattle farming. "Ultimately, this water is used to irrigate pastures for beef cattle farming."<\/p>\n
Therefore, surplus water is not treated as waste, but as an input. This integration helps explain why the experience is attracting attention even while still in the technical development phase: it brings together fish production, rational water use, and connection with other farm activities in a single mechanism.<\/p>\n
In practice, Est\u00e2ncia Colorada is still operating on an experimental scale. But the project already offers concrete signs of what the future may hold. With fish in the dining area, harvesting underway, and lower feed costs, fish farming is ceasing to be just a technical experiment and is beginning to take shape as a business. In Gl\u00f3ria de Dourados, the focus isn't on a regular tank. It's on transforming productive integration into revenue.<\/p>\n
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The digital version of the Aquaculture journal is free and can be accessed in full by clicking [here].\u00a0here<\/a>. Happy reading!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nTHE Bela Cereais<\/strong> works with the best grains on the market in the Central West Region and also keeps you up to date with the latest news and analyses on agribusiness.
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