Trade News - July '24
Hello Koi Keepers,
Finally, we’re starting to see some good weather, and it’s only two months late! I hope everyone is well and your ponds and koi are thriving. Be sure to spend time outdoors enjoying your hobby, as we must all make the most of it!
I’ve been catching up with magazine sponsors to see what’s going on in July and uncover worthy updates for hobbyists. There’s plenty to get through, so here we go.
Byer Koi Farm - A word from the main man Adam...
Keep an eye on our website for some fantastic koi being released mid-summer! Fully quarantined jumbo tosai from Japan, including Sekiguchi Showa, Omosako Shiro Utsuri and Kawakami Goshiki. The Showa are live on the website now, with the others released online on Friday, 2nd August. Find them on our website here: https://www.byerkoifarm.co.uk/collections/koi-for-sale
Our breeding lines of Asagi, Aka Matsuba and Showa continue to do well on the koi show circuit with some terrific awards at the recent BKKS National Koi Show. We’ve also made some top picks from our tosai Asagi, Aka Matsuba and Mukashi Ogon available on the website to celebrate the show success. Read about those big wins on our blog : https://www.byerkoifarm.co.uk/blogs/blog/big-wins-for-adam-byer-koi-farm-at-the-2024-bkks-national-koi-show.
Fry season is well underway! We still have fry remaining from round 1 and we are spawning round 2 now.
New season small koi mixes will become available in early August, including Kikisui, Metallic Doitsu Ochiba, Aragoke, Doitsu Ochiba and Goshiki - plus others!
Towards the end of August, you’ll find us at the Great British Koi Show! Please come and say hello! In the meanwhile, we are open 10-5 each weekend day - no appointment needed. Find out more about our koi shop and the services we provide here: https://www.byerkoifarm.co.uk/pages/visit-the-adam-byer-koi-farm-shop
West Midlands Koi - It’s fair to say Lee has been grafting incredibly hard behind the scenes with his new facility (which I can’t wait to see). He’s also been tackling bespoke pond projects for clients over the last few months, so he’s definitely keeping himself busy! Lee handles pond builds from the ground up and has decades of experience in the construction industry. Those who visited his shop at the last premises or saw his youtube videos will know he’s a sucker for the finer details, so if you’re looking for someone to build your dream project, it might be worth getting in touch.
West Midlands Koi are also the sole stockists of EZ Ponds and AquaKing Red Label Drum Filters, and what Lee doesn’t know about them isn’t worth knowing! To see products up close makes all the difference when considering a purchase, which is why I always suggest hopping in the car and visiting koi dealers!
Here’s a little snippet from Lee’s portfolio. He recently got the chance to return to a pond he built in 2022, which has now fully settled and matured. Beautiful.
Evolution Aqua - The team have recently launched a new blog covering some sound information about selecting cost-effective dechlorinators. Ensuring tap water is safe to add to your pond is crucial for the health of your koi and is a topic we have covered in detail in the magazine.
There are many products out there to get the job done, but it can often feel more complex than it needs to be. Starting with basic dechlorination and water tests is always the first step, then see if more purification is required. If you fancy seeing what the manufacturers think, hit the link:
Selective Koi Sales - is holding another auction, which starts today. Many companies seem to be using this sales platform, so if it suits you, why not watch the very helpful video above as Chris will explain more? If you want to take a closer look at the koi featured, you can do so here:
Cuttlebrook Koi Farm - The farm recently put out this notice.
“FINAL ORDERS. This is the final chance to order Fry from Batch 2 and the final opportunity to order Sanke Fry. No further Fry or Jumbo Fry batches will contain Sanke this year.
Batch 2 Fry & Jumbo Fry is a random selection from the following varieties: Kohaku, Sanke, Shiro Bekko, Aka Bekko, Benigoi, Shiro Muji.
Bloodline: Sakai x Maruyama
This is a different parent set to Batch 1. Batch 3 is expected to come on sale in 1-2 weeks.
Please note all Batch 2 orders MUST be shipped for arrival on Friday, 2nd of August. Fish are scheduled to arrive between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm, and you MUST be in to sign for the fish (Koi delivery is £29.95). Collection must be made on either Friday 2nd or Saturday 3rd of August.”
If you want more details, hit the link.
Supreme Koi - Mark informs me he’s gone somewhat tancho mad this season, with a wide selection of tancho in manydifferent varieties from kohaku to showa and goshiki to hariwake. He’s also been working hard to keep the website updated with pictures of available koi but says if you are looking for something in particular or fancy a drive, it’s best to contact him or visit the shop.
He also suggests joining the Supreme Koi WhatsApp group to stay informed with updates and special offers.
Absolute Koi - Darren, Donna and the team put on a great stand at The National Koi Show at the end of last month to display the diverse range of ProfiDrum products. They will soon be attending The Great British Koi Show on the 24th/25th of August, offering another fantastic opportunity to see these products in the flesh.
I don’t mean to harp on about it, but the internet is littered with discussions (and often debates) about which filtration brands to purchase, and I’ve always been a great believer in going to see products. Pictures and videos can only tell us so much. Listen to the reviews and opinions when you ask for them, but be sure to visit a stockist, see the product with fresh eyes and quiz those in charge. You will soon get an inkling if the product is right for you and if the after-sales service is up to scratch.
Team Absolute will be waiting for you on the 24th/25th!
Beacon Koi - I caught up with Simon and Dean at The National Koi Show, and they’ve been busy hosting a few koi gatherings at their premises in Great Barr over the last few months. As I’ve said in previous write-ups, they’ve been around the koi trade for a long while, but are reaching a wider audience with the power of the internet.
I’ve visited their premises quite a few times now, and I always find it well-managed, with a relaxed atmosphere. There’s a deceptive amount of stock on site, and the gents are always ready to help you hunt for that unique koi. They also update their website regularly, so why not sneak a peek?
Aqua-tech & Landscapes - Between working hard building and revamping ponds, Anthony is now offering a new option for the RS Feeder - it comes in different colours! Yes, for those that want coded colour schemes, the automated feeder can now be powder coated in any colour courtesy of "Powder Pros." The prices have also become more favourable, so if you’re in the market for an auto feeder, check out the link below.
South West Koi - Dave and his team have finally launched the website with koi for sale. I spoke to Dave at length recently, and he admits that since opening, the website development has been blowing “hot and cold.” The trouble was that the shop had been too busy to focus on cataloguing and updating the koi. He said he decided to stay offline until he could ensure a structured way forward.
Having worked in koi retail, I can appreciate where he’s coming from. If you’re a shop that stocks vast amounts of koi, it's a nightmare until you develop a system that works for you. Eventually, Dave plans to have a fully operational mail-order shop for all dry goods in stock, but for now, the focus will be on the koi.
South West Koi offers koi from £15.00 upwards, catering to all budgets, and the aim is to get as many of them on the website as possible with shipping options available, thus opening up sales to those who live further afield. They’ve dropped a load of Dainichi koi recently, and for those who like their brand names, you might want a gander...
World of Nishikigoi - I went away for a zero-work holiday at the start of the month (my first in many years), highlighting the importance of downtime to recharge and gain perspective. Since coming back, I can describe the last two weeks as the“quiet before the storm,” but they really haven't been that quiet!
August is a hive of koi show activity for me, whilst I must also balance magazine production/running and other projects. So I’ve spent some time making plans and trying to recoup the time I will lose on the road during August. Unfortunately, I had to miss the Scottish Koi Show, which took place on the 27th/28th of July, but luckily, Joe Mitchell was there from The Koi Perspective and shared the winners on his Facebook Page. Check them out here.
Worry not, I’m back with a vengeance this weekend at The Crouch Valley Koi Show (3rd & 4th August). The Crouch takes place in Essex and is a fantastic show that’s FREE to enter. Yes, they don’t charge you a penny. However, if you’d like to support the excellent efforts of the boys and girls who surrender their free time and ensure the show's future, there is a donation box, or you can have a fair few goes on the raffle. They’ve grown the show this year, adding more vats of koi and more dealers. Plus, with a change of licences, more dealers are now allowed to have wet sales, and with it all under cover in a "laverly" garden centre, I have a feeling it will be a show you won’t want to miss. Poster below.
There are plenty of koi shows happening this year, so (if you can) attend a few. The calendar looks thus:
August
The North England Koi Show - 10th/11th August
The Holland Koi Show - 17th/18th August
The Great British Koi Show - 24th/25th August
September
The Mid Staffs Koi Show - 7th/8th September
The All England Koi Show - 21st/22nd September
October
The Junior Koi Show (Birmingham & West Mids) - 5th/6th October
My camera might be flinching at the amount of work to come, but I can’t wait to see many of you at the shows. If you attend and want to say hello or check out the magazine in person, feel free to visit my stand or grab me - I’m usually happy to have a natter!
Until then - take care and stay happy,
Liam
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