Deb, where do I even begin on this one. I wish first I had more time. I have not brought up past experiences with clients of Ken�s since you started answering questions. I left that alone for others to figure out for themselves. However you have still avoided answering some questions. I posted here only b/c I believe I�m the person you are referring to in the above post. BTW that is the same picture on the catalog and figured folks would flip out. What does that proof?
Let me go through the post� �Ken graduated from UGA under the same program that Greg and many others were under. The difference was that he did it over 40 years ago. In other words, the state has not changed their teachings. This could be because it works or because of habit.�
1. It states in his bio graduated with agriculture degree from UGA. SO this is not the same degree I have. Also bachelors vs. masters. I did not even want to go there. I think Ken is well educated in fish/aquaculture etc. However you are going to bring it up be at least accurate. 2. I agree many similar concepts being taught. I have on post credited Ken with thinking outside the box and this is good. However some the principals are being taught b/c they work.
�It must truly be more cost effective to us to �practice what we preach�. Not too many people can say they continually maintain 50 plus ponds on a single 1500 acre plot.�
This is my point exactly you have an aquaculture facility not a sport fishing facility. This is huge diff in stocking a pond for quick growout managed intensively for growth and removal vs. continued growth for years of fishing. I hope you know the difference of these two without explanation.
�So to turn things around on a certain someone, it would actually be to the economic advantage of a person in that field to design a plan for a pond that would require the �expert�s� maintenance program versus a simple plan that would allow a customer with little knowledge in the field to �handle things on their own�. Again I will state that I do see the need for professional pond manager, but not every pondowner needs it, wants it, or can afford it. That is the "niche" we fill (as some would say).�
Where to begin with this one? Guess how many ponds we manage that we stock? About 10% maybe less. So do not see the argument for many reasons. In fact now you claim client �can handle things on their own� when in other post you admit that your plan requires high maintenance, make up your mind. So you argue if I propose stocking 1,00 bluegill/acre with 50-100 bass it will require more �experts� than if stocking 3,000 and 600 bass? Deb come on. My �sales pitch� is that with proper stocking no further stocking is necessary if managed properly. Then I tell them what to do themselves. If they stocked all the GG, bass, HSb and cats you suggest this is no way the case ti will require some serious intense management. I guess I should be happy about your plan b/c it leads them to me for managing b/c it is so screwed up from over stocking.
�The argument I am proposing is this; we have done it both ways. Have any of you? Comments before were made about having to go behind and �clean up� after us, but this is merely hearsay. Until one uses trial and error with BOTH programs, a true educational comparative analysis can not be given in regards to the way we operate.�
I guess it is hearsay from me. I know what clients have told me �they followed your plan for a year or so�. Then after a year of not my plan but the plan recommend by most fish professionals in the business it is working, so is this doing it both ways? You make claims �We use calcium and bufferin for hardness and alkalinity levels, and measure these by gpg. No we do not have to continuously add these two products, as they have a Potential life span of ag lime, but with more benefits. �
ANY PROOF! So they last up to 6 years when compared to 4 tons ag lime/acre. Impressive I guess I will be like the rest and just read it in the catalog and believe it sign me up for it, you depend on the uneducated for this sale. Here is some more hearsay, I went to a client that had as recently as 3 months prior to calling me had used your water quality program. Water quality in regards to hardness and alkalinity was poor. He was floored and had spend $5,800 on his 8 acre lake in the last two years (for 2 years that sounds like pond management but you do not do that, hmm) He said he kept sending in water samples and it would be ok then next time require more additions. Sorry say what you want I could not sleep at night doing this. I could make all this up but hope the folks who follow this know I would not. Believe or not everyone he showed me the invoices. Deb if you can believe me on this one, can you understand my frustration when I see this?
�As Ken stated to me this morning, �I spent a lot of years doing it wrong, and am comfortable that I am on the right track now. But mind you I am still learning�. I think this last statement can apply to all of us. The minute we close our minds to the potential changes that can be implemented in this field, is the minute we become self indulgent �omnipotent� lecturers who have a long term benefit for no one.�
I could not agree more with Ken here. I learn everyday it seems but have to have some scientifically based reason behind things I do. In fact I have learned a few things on this board. I hope I do not appear �all knowing�. Nothing is farther from the truth. However I�m confident I do know a lot about fish stocking and pond management in the southeast and do what I feel is right for making a living and can sleep at night doing it.
