Letter: A plug for corn-fed carp

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Now that the price of corn continues to decline, perhaps we should consider raising corn-fed carp. They gain weight much quicker than pork. They would be accepted by nations short of protein — especially those who will not touch pork. Carp feed on everything green, including alfalfa, clover, grass and even Creeping Charlie.

Think of carp flavored with lemon grass and garlic. They prefer corn and alfalfa pellets. Since they eat like a vacuum cleaner, there is very little loss of feed. Japan and China would take all the fish we could product. We may be able to balance our trade deficit.

If we can keep their snouts out of the muck, we may have a very tasty fish. Carp are extremely rich in fish oil; there is a big demand for that. It may even burn in our diesel engines.

I would like to taste corn-fed smoked carp. If McDonald’s could serve carp burgers, we would eliminate some of our health problems. No need to take fish oil capsules — just eat a carp burger.

Carp could be shipped in tankers equipped with aerators. A spill in sea water would be no problem — predators would be waiting to clean up. The virtues of the carp are almost unlimited. They are resistant to most fish disease, and can survive in a wide range of temperatures. Fresh breeding stock from Minnesota sloughs would ensure all of these traits remain on the carp farm. Their waste is disposed of with very little odor. No need to worry about chemicals found in bottom feeders, as they would be in a controlled environment.

It sounds like something from the 1800s. The fact remains, carp do not belong in our lakes. The next fish-o-rama should be corn-fed smoked carp.

Tags: opinion, carp