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Title: Performance of alternative diets containing solvent-extracted distillers dried grains with solubles compared to traditional diets for pond-raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and hybrid catfish I. punctatus x I. furcat

Author
item RENUKDAS, NILIMA - University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
item ENGLE, CAROLE - University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
item LOCHMANN, REBECCA - University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
item LI, MENGHE - Mississippi State University
item AVERY, JIMMY - Mississippi State University
item Tucker, Craig
item Bosworth, Brian

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2014
Publication Date: 6/4/2014
Citation: Renukdas, N., Engle, C., Lochmann, R., Li, M., Avery, J., Tucker, C.S., Bosworth, B.G. 2014. Performance of alternative diets containing solvent-extracted distillers dried grains with solubles compared to traditional diets for pond-raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and hybrid catfish I. punctatus x I. furcat. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 45:290-300.

Interpretive Summary: Feed is the largest cost of growing channel catfish and its hybrid with male blue catfish. Increased costs of grain-based feed ingredients have prompted feed manufacturers to seek low-cost alternative ingredients to reduce costs. This study was conducted at two locations to assess the benefits of incorporating solvent-extracted distillers dried grains with solubles (SE-DDGS) into catfish feeds. This feedstuff is a readily available byproduct of ethanol production from corn. Channel catfish or hybrid catfish were fed one of four diets (32% or 28% protein with and without 20% SE-DDGS) once daily for 186 d at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and 172 d at the National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Stoneville, MS. Channel catfish and hybrid catfish yield, survival, feed conversion ratio, and processing characteristics were not adversely affected by incorporation of SE-DDGS into diets. Partial budget analysis suggested that the 28% protein diet with the 20% SE-DDGS was preferred economically.

Technical Abstract: A regional pond study was initiated in April 2011 to evaluate feeds containing solvent-extracted distillers dried grains with solubles (SE-DDGS) in both 28%- and 32% protein catfish feeds. Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were stocked in multiple-batch production ponds at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and hybrid catfish, 'Ictalurus punctatus × ' I. furcatus in single-batch production ponds at the National Warmwater Aquaculture Center (NWAC), Mississippi State University, Stoneville, MS. The experimental design was a 2 X 2 factorial with two protein levels (32% and 28% protein), with and without 20% SE-DDGS. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation, and managed similarly to a commercial farm for 186 d in Arkansas and 172 d in Mississippi. For channel catfish, two-way ANOVA showed significant effects of both protein level (28% being better than 32%) and protein source (20% SE-DDGS diets being better than traditional diets) on yield, survival, total diet fed, and feed conversion ratio, due primarily to effects on the understocked fingerlings. Partial budget analysis suggested that the 28% protein diet with the 20% SE-DDGS was preferred economically. For hybrid catfish, two-way ANOVA did not show significant differences in total diet fed, yield, survival, and processing yields, but use of SE-DDGS resulted in a lower FCR. Results showed that both channel and hybrid catfish can utilize 20% SE-DDGS in the diet without adversely affecting production or processing characteristics.