Monitoring growth to help predict your harvest

[ashley_hamilton]

We have found that monitoring growth throughout the season will help predict the quantity and quality of your final harvest. The way we do this is by following these simple steps:

1. ID a few spots (ideally 3+) within the farm that look like "representative samples" 
   1. A representative sample is one that is characteristic to most of the lines (similar density, blade length, etc.)
2. Mark off a 1ft section from the longline
3. Snap a quick photo to reference later (these photos are great to help pinpoint when biofouling and blade senescence start to set in!) 
4. Remove the kelp from that section and weigh it -- a simple hanging scale & a shellfish bag work great!
5. Average the weights and multiple by how many feet you outplanted 

Having a sense of how much kelp your farm will produce and what quality it will be helps to identify markets for your final product. 

Does any one else monitor growth or predict yields on their farms? I would love to hear your strategies! 

This measurement taken in February told us that we were averaging 0.88 lbs per foot on the farm. This was similar to past years, so very early in the season we were able to start making predictions on final harvest values. Consistent measurements month to month (and year to year!) strengthen your ability to predict what your final harvest may be.

[mees_vanderlecq]

@ashley_hamilton - 

Dear Ashley, 

Currently I am finishing my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
I am excited to think of new ways to exercise my engineering expertise into seaweed cultivation

I would love to get in touch to have a conversation about your experiences on the farm!
If you are interested please email me at meesvdlecq@hotmail.com

Kind regards,
Mees