Thai earth worms- Millions of them!

[IsaanAussie]

I just finished our stage one fertiliser pellet making and we spread a ton yesterday. Unfortunately there was an unannounced water release upstream the night before last so the paddies were ankle deep in water. We will see what happens in a few days with the fertiliser, but as a result of the flooding the edges of each paddy where like Morchit bus station before a public holiday. Absolutely teeming with Thai earth worms. I scooped up about 15 kg along about 2 metres at the "shoreline".

I am going to give these a try in the worm compost beds. If they work then it will provide a means of keeping the population high for sale at vastly reduced prices, castings as well as bait. I know they work as bait because try as hard as I can to sell compost worms to local fishermen, the only return has been laughter.

Has anyone tried these worms for composting?

[RedBullHorn]

I used to sell them (dried) to China via Chiang Khong.

Made ฿120'000 back then, hired villagers to collect for me...

Edited August 16, 2013 by RedBullHorn

[David48]

RBH ... is there anything that you haven't tried and made a Baht from!

[RedBullHorn]

I failed miserably farming Pla Nin on my 1st try.

...and i haven't touch it since.

Edited August 17, 2013 by RedBullHorn

[NeverSure]

I know a guy who uses earth worms to grow and sell for bait. He grows them in rotted sawdust or bark. When the worms have completely broken down the wood material into castings, he raises mushrooms in the castings. Last, he sells the spent castings as compost for gardens. He has about 3 rai of that under cover, and makes a good living.

Worms sell really well to salmon and steelhead fishermen. He wholesales the worms to fishing tackle and bait shops. Link

[RedBullHorn]

People ask me this "You made money supplying to China...Then why you gave up? "

I didn't gave up. I did the next best thing...

I sold the business to someone who was willing to pay me a near 5-fold of my profit.

[David48]

RBH ... Do you look back and wish that you hadn't sold the business?

Just thinking diversification for the times when the Fish have an off harvest.

[RedBullHorn]

My thought then was to hit & run. Sooner or later, competition will cut in fiercely for slices of a smaller pie.

I have the added advantages, being Chinese, speak Mandarin and my contact is China.

I'm still the liason person for the new boss in Thailand... for a fee of course~

The expansion rental ponds are meant for off season harvest, back by wholesalers.

Edited August 19, 2013 by RedBullHorn