Factors affecting feed conversion ratios in US commercial catfish production ponds

Stone, Nathan M.; Engle, Carole R.; Kumar, Ganesh; Li, Menghe H.; Hegde, Shraddha; Roy, Luke A.; Kelly, Anita M.; Dorman, Larry; Recsetar, Matthew S.

doi:10.1111/jwas.13053

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 154 publications

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“…Assumed survival rates ranged from a low of 50% (tripletail and spotted seatrout) to a high of 93% (redfish and black drum), with those of other species ranging from 75% to 85%. Commercial-scale FCR values were not readily available for most species, but were conservatively assumed to range from 2.2 to 4.75, based on available data and accounting for research conditions that result in lower FCR values than those from commercial farms (Li & Robinson, 2021;Stone et al, 2024).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating growout production costs of commercial‐scale marine finfish production in southern tier US states

Engle,

Boldt,

van Senten

et al. 2024

J World Aquaculture Soc

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Increased interest in marine fish farming in the United States has led to a need for fundamental economic information on production of candidate species for commercialization in various production systems. Funding for the project targeted those species with potential for production in southern tier states in the United States. Sufficient technical data were found to develop comprehensive budget analyses to estimate growout production costs for four scales of production for each of 10 species with potential for production in ponds, 13 in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and five in net pens. The choice of species/production system scenarios was based on evidence of successful production on farms or in research. Estimation of production costs with enterprise budgets can provide useful guidance to identify the types of improved efficiencies that have the greatest effect on economic viability even when commercial farm data are not available. Commercial farm data were used where available, but for most species, data were available only from studies conducted under research conditions. Per‐kg costs of production were lowest for net pen production, followed by ponds, with production costs in RAS two to five times greater than in ponds or net pens. Ponds and net pens generally exhibited greater efficiency of use of capital assets across species than did RAS that resulted in lower percentages of fixed costs and lower annual costs per kg of fish produced. All five species evaluated for net pen production were estimated to be profitable, including redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus (also known as red drum), striped bass, Morone saxatilis, cobia, Rachycentron canadum, red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, and seriolids (generic budget for almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana, California yellowtail, Seriola lalandi, and greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili), four in ponds (redfish, hybrid drum, ♀Pogonias cromis × ♂Sciaenops ocellatus, black sea bass, Centropristis striata, and cobia), but none of the RAS scenarios showed profitability at average yields (kg/cubic meter) reported in the literature. Comprehensive data on growout production of marine finfish species in the United States is generally lacking, and there is a strong need for production trials conducted under near‐commercial conditions with an endpoint of market‐sized fish. Production trials should be conducted in ponds (≥0.1 ha), net pens, and RAS tanks of a size that simulate commercial production conditions. Adequate production trial databases would provide opportunities to develop economic optimization models that would provide useful guidance for prospective producers. Average yields (kg/cubic meter) in RAS will need to be much greater than currently reported in the research literature for RAS production to be economically sustainable. Net pen production appears to be profitable in the United States, but effective permitting procedures are not in place. Providing research support for the US redfish sector that has developed effective production and marketing models could serve as a foundation for developing additional species and offer opportunities for diversification on marine finfish farms.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating growout production costs of commercial‐scale marine finfish production in southern tier US states

Engle,

Boldt,

van Senten

et al. 2024

J World Aquaculture Soc

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The use of age and growth techniques to quantify the age structure of carryover hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish × male Blue Catfish) in commercial ponds in West Alabama

Palmer,

James,

Sakaris

et al. 2024

N American J Aquac

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ObjectiveIn West Alabama, catfish Ictalurus spp. producers routinely face the challenge of fish that exceed market size (aka “Big Fish”) in their commercial ponds. These fish are skilled at evading seine nets during harvest and can increase in size significantly before subsequent harvests occur. This is problematic for catfish producers because processing plants prefer catfish within the 0.45–1.81‐kg range and farmers are paid a premium price for catfish of this size. Due to their larger size and growth potential, hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus) can become a more significant issue than Channel Catfish if they evade harvest. The objective of this study was to describe and quantify the age structure and growth rate of hybrid catfish that evade capture and remain in commercial ponds following harvest and grow beyond acceptable market size as defined by catfish processing plants (i.e., Big Fish).MethodsHybrid catfish were collected from 12 recently harvested commercial ponds in West Alabama from December 2021 to August 2022 using an electroshocking boat. Total length (mm), body weight (kg), and sex of collected fish were recorded, and lapilli otoliths were removed to estimate fish age and determine total length and total body weight at estimated ages.ResultIn this study, 1005 hybrid catfish were collected with the successful age estimation for 1001 catfish, ranging from 1 to 11 years. Results of this study indicate that hybrid catfish exceeded the premium size threshold in 2.72 years ± 8 months. Additionally, from age 2 to age 3, the average hybrid catfish gained 2.90 kg, growing from 0.40 to 3.30 kg. Growth rate was significantly affected by sex; males overall were predicted to weigh more than females based on the weight‐at‐age model.ConclusionHybrid catfish should be completely harvested from commercial ponds following 1 year of harvest to receive the premium price per kilogram of live fish. If a complete harvest is unsuccessful, farmers can receive a discounted price per kilogram of leftover hybrid catfish based on current market trends.

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Factors affecting feed conversion ratios in US commercial catfish production ponds

Cited by 2 publications

References 154 publications

Estimating growout production costs of commercial‐scale marine finfish production in southern tier US states

Estimating growout production costs of commercial‐scale marine finfish production in southern tier US states

The use of age and growth techniques to quantify the age structure of carryover hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish × male Blue Catfish) in commercial ponds in West Alabama

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