expensive and it’s a question mark every year. It’s never a given, and that’s scary. If I had to fill those 17 positions overnight because I got turned down, I couldn’t do it,” said Anderson. The third biggest challenge in the baitfish industry is the market competition which comes from other recreational activities or other types of bait, wild-caught or artificial. “Because we are recreational, we are always fighting the recreational dollar – whether that be the lake, race track, football stadium, Gameboy or Xbox,” said Anderson. Diversification is a big part of fighting all of these challenges, but especially the entertainment dollar. In that respect, the farm recently launched a retail website for aquaculture supplies. “I started a list years ago with ways to diversify, some of them have been proven right; some have been proven wrong. You’ve got to change or die. As the fourth generation, I do not want it failing on my watch,” said Anderson. Between Jamie and his father, they check on all 334 ponds as much as possible, to ensure that their customers receive quality products. They feed every day that it is possible because it is their best management tool. When the fish come to the top to eat the floating feed, they see if the fish are healthy and see the size and determine if the fish are ready for market. “In the spring and summer, if it’s not hunting season, you might as well work,” said Anderson. He has done just that. ARKANSAS GROWN 73
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