Maximixing Chabbel Catfish Production Active Mangement Raies Yields

摘要

There is a wide range in channel catfish production rates in the United States. Some farms average less than 4.5 mt/ha net production from earthen ponds, while others produce over six times that amount. Increasing yield does not necessarily equate tohigher net profits, especially in the current situation with low fish prices and high feed and fuel costs, but higher production has historically resulted in higher profits.While economy of scale is general-ly considered to favor larger farms, this may not hold true with intensify-ing production. Ponds must be man-aged as individual units to maximize production, which is much more difficult at larger farms, where the laborforce is generally stretched thinner than at smaller farms. Stocking, feed-ttg. harvesting, disease and off-fla-vor treatments, and other management activities all need to be done on each pond when needed, not a day, week or month later.