On The Land
29 August, 2026
Redclaw opportunities, flood bounce back focus of new e-book
BIBOOHRA redclaw farmer Rodney Ingersoll OBE has launched a new e-book exploring an opportunity in Australian aquaculture and on his miraculous rebirth following the devastation to his property during Cyclone Jasper and the ensuing heavy rain event.
Crayfish Cashflow introduces readers to the Australian redclaw opportunity and explores how Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) may offer opportunities extending well beyond simply growing and selling them by the kilo.
The book draws on Ingersoll’s own experience, including keeping NSW yabbies from childhood, working with redclaw in aquaponics systems in Far North Queensland, keeping redclaw in tanks while living in Papua New Guinea, and ultimately operating the commercial Barron River Redclaw farm at Biboohra.
Importantly, the book also reflects on the devastating cyclone and flood events of 2023 and how it became a “turning point in thinking, resilience, and renewal”. It showcases the wisdom gained, the lessons learned, and the practical actions taken afterwards.
“I wrote this book because I realised there are a lot of people looking for their next opportunity, but most are being shown the same crowded online businesses and side hustles. Meanwhile, Australia has this remarkable freshwater crayfish sitting almost unnoticed in front of us,” Mr Ingersoll said.
“Redclaw are a premium food product, breed naturally, can be produced in a range of systems, and can potentially sit at the centre of several different income pathways.”
Rather than promising readers an easy route to making money, Crayfish Cashflow encourages people to investigate the opportunity carefully before investing.
“This isn’t about telling someone to dig ponds tomorrow and hope somebody buys the crayfish later,” Mr Ingersoll said.
“My message is almost the opposite – talk to people, investigate your market, check the legislation, understand your water, work out what assets you already have, and test the idea before you put your wallet on the line.”
The book also explores what Ingersoll describes as an “opportunity stack” around Australian Redclaw. Potential pathways can include live and table-size crayfish sales, premium markets, farm-gate sales, restaurants, breeding stock, farm tours, workshops, education, content, consulting and food-security projects, depending on the individual operation and local regulations.
For Ingersoll, writing the e-book was also part of a broader goal of transferring practical knowledge gained during more than three decades.
“At this stage of my life, I want to take what I have learned in the field and on the farm and make it useful to other people,” he said.
Find out more about the e-book at www.barronriverredclaw.com.au/ebook-australian-redclaw-opportunity, and Mr Ingersoll’s farm at www.barronriverredclaw.com.au
Sustainability certification for farm
BARRON River Redclaw has achieved independent sustainability recognition through Sustainable Australian Seafood Assessment Limited (SASAL), marking an important milestone for the local aquaculture farm.
The farm has built its farming approach around sustainability, responsible water management, environmental stewardship, food security, research and continual improvement.
“For me, sustainability is much more than putting a label on a product. It is about recognising that we are custodians of the land and water we use and that we have a responsibility to leave those resources in good condition for the generations that follow us,” Mr Ingersoll said.
“I have spent more than 30 years working across environmental management, conservation, community development, agriculture and food security. At Barron River Redclaw, I have tried to bring those experiences together and demonstrate that commercial food production and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.”
Barron River Redclaw is now also part of the Happy Fish Project, which is working to make sustainable seafood easier for consumers to identify and trust. The program focuses on verifiable sustainability, provenance and quality, while connecting consumers with the farmers, fishers and businesses behind their seafood.
“People want to know more about where their food comes from. They want locally produced food, but they also want confidence that it has been grown responsibly,” Mr Ingersoll said.
“Being involved with sustainability initiatives gives our customers and partners greater confidence in what we are doing.”
