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Title: Production and economic anaysis of growing larger (>0.57 KG) chennel catfish (ictalurus punctatus)in multiple-batch production system

Author
item CRISWELL, KHARA - UNIV. OF AR AT PINE BLUFF
item Green, Bartholomew - Bart

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/6/2003
Publication Date: 2/19/2003
Citation: Criswell, K.E., Green, B.W. 2003. Production and economic anaysis of growing larger (>0.57 KG) chennel catfish (ictalurus punctatus)in multiple-batch production system. Aquaculture America Conference. p. 63.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Technical Abstract: The multiple-batch production system, in which production ponds are subjected to periodic partial harvests and re-stockings, is the most-common production system for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Fish traditionally are harvested for processing once their individual weight reaches 0.45 kg. Processing plants have increased the minimum individual weight they require for catfish by more than 25% to 0.57 kg, and minimum size required is likely to trend higher in the future. However, there is little information available on growing channel catfish to the 0.57-kg size and larger. Therefore, a study was carried out to compare production characteristics and economics for growing channel catfish to a mean individual weight of 0.57, 0.79, or 1.02 kg in a multiple-batch production system. Nine 0.1-ha earthen ponds located on the Aquaculture Research Station, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR, were used for this study. Ponds were stocked February/March 2002 to resemble a typical channel catfish production pond in the spring of the year: 10-15-cm fingerling channel catfish (average weight 20 g) were stocked at 14,820/ha, and "carry-over" channel catfish (average weight 211 g) were stocked at 11,115 fish/ha. Fish were fed a 32% floating extruded feed. Fish growth was monitored by monthly seine samples. Gross marketable fish yield increased from 5,942 kg/ha for the 0.57-kg fish treatment to 9,892 kg/ha for the 1.02-kg fish treatment. Feed conversion ratio did not differ among treatments, and averaged 1.84. An economic analysis identified and quantified the trade-offs associated with producing channel catfish with a mean individual weight of 0.57, 0.79, or 1.02 kg at harvest.