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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #165109
Title: Growth Improvements in the USDA103 Line: Two Generations Later

Author
item Small, Brian

Submitted to: The Catfish Journal
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2005
Publication Date: 12/1/2005
Citation: Small, B.C. 2005. Growth Improvements in the USDA103 Line: Two Generations Later. The Catfish Journal. 9(12):11.

Interpretive Summary: The USDA103 line of channel catfish was developed and evaluated at the USDA-ARS Catfish Genetics Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, and jointly released under the name NWAC103 to commercial producers in 2001 and 2002 in cooperation with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center. Results of numerous experimental trials have demonstrated that USDA103 catfish have excellent growth compared to other catfish strains currently being produced. Since the release, two more generations of USDA103-line catfish have been selected for improved growth, yield, and disease resistance. In 2003, fingerling growth and feed conversion of third generation USDA103 catfish were compared to first generation USDA103 catfish. Third generation USDA103 catfish outgrew their first generation relatives by 23%. Results of the growth trial demonstrated a significant improvement in growth due to continued selective breeding.

Technical Abstract: USDA103 catfish were released under the name NWAC103 to commercial producers in 2001 and 2002. Since the release, two more generations of USDA103-line catfish have been selected for improved growth, yield, and disease resistance. In 2003, 2-year-old, second generation broodfish successfully spawned third-generation offspring. Fingerling growth and feed conversion of last year's third generation USDA103 catfish were compared to first generation USDA103 catfish of the same year-class in indoor tanks for 9 weeks. Growth of USDA103 catfish significantly improved after two generations of selective breeding. After 9 weeks, third generation USDA103 catfish weighed 23% more than their first generation relatives. Both the 9-week weights (160 vs.130 grams) and average rate of growth (8.5 vs 7.4%/day) were significantly higher for the third generation catfish. Feed conversion, however, was similar between both groups, ranging from 1.22 to 1.24. This year, several more third generation families will be produced for family comparisons and continued selection for improved growth, yield, and disease resistance traits.