A grape snail, breeding of which began 40 years ago, from the object of a small handicraft industry has become the subject of large-scale agro-industrial production.
Green Farm
For many years in Europe, this species of mollusks was collected in its natural habitat. This led to a decrease in the population of wild snails, so a ban was imposed on their collection.
With the adoption of strict sanitary requirements for food quality, they are no longer considered as a food source. This is due to the requirements of protecting consumers from toxic plants or hazardous chemicals.
After several years of experimentation and testing in Italy, a method was developed for breeding snails in open "pastures", which turned out to be less time-consuming and more profitable than growing them indoors or in greenhouses.
Economic benefits are realized after the initial installation of the perimeter and internal fencing. Financial returns are expected no earlier than in 12-14 months.
The current costs of this method (compared with greenhouse production or indoors) are lower, and the main costs are only for seeds, soil preparation and sowing of vegetable crops.
A grape snail, the price of which ranges from 3 to 3.7 euros per kilogram, is a profitable breeding target.
Site selection and soil structure
A snail farm is organized in open pastures with suitable plants grown on them, serving as food and shelter for mollusks. The coating to create the shadow is not used. When choosing the place where the snail farm will be located, the prevailing wind direction is taken into account, since strong winds dry the soil.
An analysis and disinfection of the soil is carried out in order to guarantee suitable conditions for the cultivation of leafy green vegetable crops and the elimination of carnivorous insects and pests. Loose soil with an acidity of 5.8–7.5 pH is recommended. Too acidic soil for snail production is unsuitable. Its calcium content should be about 3-4%. Soil structure is medium to light. Clay soil is unsuitable for laying eggs, since it is too difficult for snails to dig it, and it is easily swamped.
It is important that plants and mollusks are kept moist through dew, rain, or controlled fog. The snail (photo is in the article) moves more easily when the leaves and ground are wet. They eat more and grow faster under appropriate environmental conditions.
Rain and controlled irrigation are important for snail production.
Good soil drainage is necessary so that water does not accumulate on the ground in puddles.
The breeding site should be free of large trees, as they attract birds of prey, obscure plants and prevent the formation of dew.
Where to buy grape snails for breeding? Farmers purchasing shellfish from snail pickers or on the market should expect them to die high due to poor adaptation to other foods. The most reliable source of breeding material are well-known producers or agricultural institutes. Such a grape snail (its price will be higher) is better and safer, since it received proper nutrition from birth and was not damaged during collection and storage.
Lot size
Grape snail farms vary in size, depending on who engages them. Lovers who grow mollusks in small quantities use an area of 10 to 20 acres. Farmers who do this as an alternative to other activities occupy an average of 30 acres to 1 hectare. Large commercial manufacturers usually start with 2 hectares and can use 30 hectares for business growth. Additional sown areas outside those reserved for snails are occupied by auxiliary crops such as sunflower.
Site preparation
The site is cleared of grass and weeds by using contact herbicide. The soil is then cultivated using a rotary cultivator, a fence is erected around the perimeter. Fertilizers are introduced into the soil, chemical disinsection from insects and animals is carried out. Then the site is divided into sections for the production of the first year, and wooden posts are installed that support the internal fencing.
The soil is again prepared by subsequent rotary loosening and, if required, by adding lime, and irrigation is also established. Sowing is done after the surface is leveled and internal fences are erected. Finally, to facilitate maintenance, the tracks are again treated with contact herbicide.
Feed
How to feed grape snails? Since these mollusks are vegetarians, they love a variety of vegetables and cereals. However, feeding in “production grassland” systems typically includes only plants with fleshy green leaves that contain mineral salts, nitrates, sulfates and carbonates that contribute to the creation of shells.
In the efficient production of snails, plants perform two functions. They are food and protect from the sun, rain and hail. Such plants, for example, are burdock, plantain, sorrel, chervil and sunflower. In Italy, they plant beets, field cabbage, chicory, artichokes, radishes and sunflowers.
Sown manually to ensure a dense coverage of the soil, and the type of planting depends on the season (winter and summer crops). Sowing time is of great importance - there should be enough vegetation so that there is always something to feed the grape snails. To achieve maximum yield and production of mollusks, rotation of the sown area is important.
After the appearance of plants, a snail is selected (photo is given in the article) for brood and placed behind the fence at the rate of 25 Helix aspera or 20 Helix pomatia per square meter.
Planting times for summer and winter crops may vary, as well as their type.
External fence
The outer perimeter is fenced with sheets of galvanized iron. They are buried to a depth of 30-40 cm and strengthened with supporting wooden or iron posts. The main purpose of the perimeter is to prevent the penetration of predators, especially those that are able to bury. Between the perimeter and the internal fence, it is necessary to have a cleaned area. If any of the snails overcomes the internal fences, the path and the external fence will prevent her from going further.
The addition of wire mesh and electrified wire over galvanized sheets provides better clam production safety.
Internal fences
Internal fences are used to separate the breeding and fattening zones. Fences are made of durable black polyethylene brand "Helitex". It has two valves facing down at a height of 40 cm and 70 cm from the ground to prevent snails from creeping out. Wooden posts to support polyethylene are installed at a distance of 3-4 meters. They are buried in the ground at least to a depth of 10 cm. The zone is usually 20-45 m long and 2-4 m wide.
When newborn snails hatch in the reproductive sector, fences can be moved.
Pests
There are many animals and insects that can cause problems with the production of snails.
These include carnivorous beetles such as carabidi, calosomidi, lampiridi, and especially stafilinids that attack and kill cubs. Beetles live in soil and love a humid environment just like snails. Stafilinids pose the greatest threat. During site preparation, chemical pest control is mainly used to eradicate these pests.
Crows and magpies are birds whose diet also includes a grape snail. The shell is broken by the beak, and the contents are eaten. Blackbirds beat mollusks on stones until they are released from the shell.
For lizards, snakes and toads, snails are a treat, especially young ones, so the external fence should be deepened into the ground to prevent these predators from getting into. Rats also eat snails, especially in winter, when the number of food sources is limited. Rabbits, hares and moles are also a problem, because they eat crops and damage snails, trampling them.
Grape snail: breeding
In early spring, breeding snails are selected for reproduction and placed in a new environment. They are selected by size and quality and transferred to a sector with grown leaves allocated for reproduction.
In the first year, no more than 25 Helix aspersa per square meter is placed in the reproduction area. Overpopulation will cause dwarfism, low weight and mortality due to mucus on the ground.
In the first few days, selected snails are closely monitored, as they will try to escape and may suffer from environmental stress.
Crops grown in the reproduction area should not be higher than 50 cm. They are trimmed with a scythe, encouraging the growth of new leaves and improving air circulation. In the second year, the density drops to 15 snails per square meter, as the mortality rate drops. Shellfish are bred locally, so they are better acclimatized to the environment and experience less stress.
Grape snail: care, maintenance
After birth, young snails are allowed to grow for about three months before they are placed in feeding areas with a fresh crop. It is important that crops grow densely and provide protection from the summer sun. Crops should not rise more than 25 cm, and they are also cut to encourage new leaf growth and air circulation. During the growing season, with the depletion of plantings, it is necessary to supplement the nutrition of cut plants and dry food.
Hibernation
In December and January, the activity of snails ceases, and they are sealed in a shell for hibernation. In cold climates in the fall, mollusks are covered with a thin film of material that protects them from hypothermia. Due to this, the temperature of the soil rises by 5-10 degrees. At the end of autumn, the hedge is cleared, the remaining plantations are plowed and the soil is prepared for a new summer culture.
Production problems
The causes of failures are often:
- Bad management.
- Reproduction problems in connection with the complex biology of snails.
- Inadequate funding.
- Poor soil preparation.
- Wrong crop choice.
- Inadequate rotation.
- Overproduction.
- The presence of predators and the lack of sufficient water for plants and mollusks.
Collection and preparation for sale
Snails are harvested after they reach maturity. This happens when the edge of the sole becomes hard - the mollusks are ripe and will not grow anymore. Snails are collected weekly or when it is convenient for the farmer, usually in the fall and spring, and transferred to the cells for 7 days so that their digestive system gets rid of soil and food debris. Shellfish are placed in a cool place without food or water in cages made of mesh or wire. During the cleaning period, the snails lose 20% of their weight and hide in the sink, but can remain in this state for two months if they are kept in a cool place with a temperature of about 4-6 ° C.
Then comes the sale time. Snails are packed in mesh bags (like onions), waxed cardboard boxes or, if there are a lot of them, in wooden boxes.
Shellfish are sold in grocery stores and purchased by restaurants. In Italy, for example, food festivals are regularly held, and the use of snails is often their hallmark. 60% of live snails are distributed through fish department stores.
Summary
Studies of snail breeding methods over the past 40 years have made it possible to rationalize and better structure all methods. The need to streamline this fishery arose with an increase in the consumption of this species of mollusks around the world. A better organization of the farming system has led to a more efficient way to grow snails - “open production”.
A grape snail, cultivated in an open environment, provides a lot of high-quality meat, it is larger and tastier than shellfish grown in rooms or greenhouses.
Success depends on the ability of the potential farmer to apply this production method in local climatic and environmental conditions. Studies conducted in Italy showed that the number of commercial snails that each individual selected for breeding gives is an average of 20. Shellfish need 10 to 12 months to reach the required size. Mass production of snails seems possible until there are no serious problems during fattening or there is not enough space.
A grape snail, the cultivation of which requires a suitable environment, the cultivation of certain crops, continuous crop rotation and a low concentration of mollusks, will reward a plentiful offspring and rapid growth. In combination with the provision of proper care and protection from attack by predators, snails only benefit from the completion of a complete biological cycle in vivo, which should lead to their high quality.