Sponsored by:
The Warnel School of Forest Resources
-and-
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Who should attend? You're someone that spends a moderate amount of money on decent koi, and wonder if the offspring from those fish will be worth enough to at least offset your habit. You'd like to know more about how to pair up fish and cull and grade. Or you're a veterinarian that services the koi hobbyist who'd like to further your education and earn CE credits.

What will I learn? The Koi Breeding and Reproduction Seminar is designed to educate the participants in regards to sucessful propagation of Cyprinus carpio or nishikigoi. Topics for discussion and demonstration will be as follows:

* Broodstock maintenance
* Pond and tank construction
* Genetics
* Selection and handling of broodstock
* Artificial spawning methods
* Hatchery and growout facility design
* Culling and grading techniques
* Embryonic development
* Disease identification, treatment and prevention
* KHV testing and certification
* Shipping and marketing
* Ultrasound evalauation and sexing of broodstock
* Endoscopic methods

Who are the speakers? Some of the top people associated with koi in the US. More biographical details to come.

* Carl Forss of Keirin Koi is an extremely well-respected US koi dealer. Known for his ability to choose high-quality koi, his fish have consistently won top prizes at major shows including the All-Japan show. For the last 11 years he has cultivated close relationships with Japan's top breeders and has learned about their bloodlines and breeding techniques firsthand.
* Erik Johnson DVM
* Jay Shelton, PhD Fishery Biologist, is an Associate Professor of Fisheries in the D.B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia. He has a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Aquaculture from Auburn University where he conducts research and teaches a course in fish culture. He has worked with artificial propagation of a variety of fish species including koi, striped bass and their hybrids, grass carp, and channel catfish. He is currently assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in an effort to recover an imperiled species, the robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), native to Georgia, North and South Carolina.
* Richard Fayrer-Hosken, DVM, PhD board certified theriogenologist
* Vicki Vaughan, Director of Aquatic Services UGA College of Veterinary Medicine
* Dr Hernandez Divers DVM, Ph.D board certified endoscopist
* More speakers to be announced.

Anything else? Here's the icing on the cake:

* The participants will have the opportunity to select 10 fish from the broodstock that produces viable offspring. These alone will be worth more than the cost of the course. We will attempt to spawn several trios of koi, each from top Japanese bloodlines. Participants will be assigned a number in order of registration. We will track the development and culling of the fish online for the participants to follow. In the fall we will select the best fish from each spawn and each attendee will have the opportunity to select 10 fish for themselves. The attendees will also have the opportunity to buy more fish at a discounted rate throughout the year.
* A booklet with all handouts will be provided as well as a copy of Doc Johnson's new Koi Health Book
* A wet lab wil be included for parasite and disease diagnosis.
* Artificial spawning methods will be addressd and demonstrated.
* Semen sexing and cryopreservation will be discussed.
* One of the most valuable parts of this course will be Carl Forss' vast knowlege of breeders and bloodlines.
* The methods used assure the breeder and customer that the broodstock will be KHV free.
* The seminar will take place at the Flinchums Phoenix, a 5000 sq ft meeting facility in a wooded setting overlooking the Oconee River. * Breakfast and lunch will be provided Saturday and Sunday with a cookout at the Phoenix Saturday night.
* We will have a GREAT time. Good food, lots of beer and wine and the comraderie of all those crazy people that love these fish.

How much does it cost and how do I register? The seminar fee is $1,000.oo.
To register, go to www.gactr.uga.edu/conferences or call Sandi Kilgo at 706-542-1451
For further info call Vicki Vaughan at 706-247-6274