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.
The G1 Mud Pond Project statistics are as follows:
The ground area is 5 000m²
The water service area is 3 600m²
The average depth is 3m
The deepest point is 3.5m
The shallowest point is 1.5m
The maximum water capacity is 11 million litres.
The maximum stocking density is 1 100 koi of 1m
The optimal stocking density is 250 koi of 40-50cm
The growth expectations are between 30 and 40cm per season.
The pond will be aerated at 3500 litres/min.
The koi will be fed daily at regular intervals on Saki Hikari, Superkoi and natural food.
The G1 mud pond can be emptied at a rate of 500 000 litres p/h if needed.
The G1 mud pond will be monitored 24 hours per day via satellite and data lines for security purposes.
The SAKTA and KBI standards will be applied at all times.
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 6570 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.
Why were these entities approached to get involved in the project?
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.
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.
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.
Lectro Group Chris, another enthusiastic koi hobbyist is the owner of Lectro Group one of the biggest security companies in 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.
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.