A Detailed Guide to Artificial Insemination Breeding Techniques for Loach

On November 4, in Bianjiaping Village, Youtingxu Town, Lingling District, Yongzhou City, five post-80s university graduates - Bian Guomin, Li Xia, Jiang Lingjiao, Yang Shuyi, and Bian Guohong - harvested loach with “ground cages” in a “loach + ecological rice” paddy field that had just finished its late rice harvest. Bian Guomin said to the reporter joyfully: “This year, the ‘loach + ecological rice’ field yields 750 kg of loach per mu.”

In 2004, after graduating from Changsha University of Science and Technology, 22-year-old Bian Guomin and four like-minded classmates agreed to return to Bianjiaping Village, scraping together 200,000 yuan from various sources, transferring 20 mu of paddy field, and trying mixed planting and breeding of “loach + ecological rice.” However, the survival rate of artificially inseminated loach was less than 10%, and both the yield and quality of the rice fell short of expectations, so the 200,000 yuan was almost entirely wasted. But once these young people set their minds on something, even 10 oxen could not pull them back. When the money ran out, everyone raised funds again and continued the experiment. They realized that the failure was due to unfamiliarity with the loach's living habits. So everyone divided into 4 shifts and observed the loach's living and growth conditions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without interruption. The reporter saw that 10 large notebooks were densely filled with records of water temperature, PH value, and subtle changes in the loach. Li Xia and Jiang Lingjiao said to the reporter in unison: “We often squatted by the field for several hours at a time. Artificial insemination of loach failed again and again, but no one ever gave up.” Bian Guomin told the reporter: “Through years of observation, we learned that the optimal water temperature for loach fertilization is around 15 degrees Celsius, and the temperature difference between morning and evening cannot exceed 8 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, although artificial insemination of loach may appear possible, most will not survive more than 3 days.” In 2010, breeding of loach made breakthrough progress: they built ditches on the inner side of the paddy field ridges so that the loach could shelter when the field was drained for sun-drying. Through their efforts, the survival rate of loach fry reached more than 90%, with a yield of 750 kg of loach per mu. In particular, they achieved the joint growth of loach and rice. Wu Guoxia, president of the Yongzhou City Grain Industry Association, said to the reporter after an inspection: “Loach swallow and suppress pests and weeds in the paddy field, and their excrement is high-quality organic fertilizer. At the same time, in the planting and breeding process they do not use chemical fertilizers, but apply mixed organic fertilizer fermented from chicken manure, rapeseed cake, soil, and other materials, providing a good growth environment for the loach.” Zhong Hui, a technician in animal husbandry and aquaculture in Lingling District, believes: “The daily activities of the loach loosen the soil and promote the growth of rice.” This year, Bian Guomin and the others planted 300 mu of organic rice, including 60 mu of “loach + ecological rice.” Speaking of income, Bian Guomin answered loudly: “‘Loach + ecological rice’ yields 750 kg of loach and 400 kg of organic rice per mu. The market wholesale price of loach is 30 yuan per kg, and organic rice is 24 yuan per kg and still in short supply. The gross income per mu of field is around 30,000 yuan, and after deducting expenses, the net income per mu is more than 10,000 yuan. Next year, we plan to develop 300 mu of ‘loach + ecological rice.’”