Evaluation of the Economics of Multi-Batch Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Production Fed an Industry Standard and Three Alternative Diets

Abstract

High ingredient prices in 2008 led feed mills to manufacture new, less expensive feed formulations untested under commercial catfish farming conditions. Sixteen 0.1-ha ponds were stocked in multi-batch production with: (1) 32% protein control, an industry standard; (2) 32% protein alternative; (3) 32% protein corn gluten; and (4) 24% protein diets. A partial budget analysis evaluated the relative economics. The 32% control diet resulted in significantly greater yield of carryover fish. Feed conversion ratios of the control and 32% alternative diets were significantly lower than those of the 32% corn gluten and 24% protein diets, but visceral fat content was higher for the control and 32% alternative diets. The control diet was economically preferable to the alternative diets because the additional revenue from the greater yield of fish fed the control (industry standard) diet more than offset the reduced cost of the alternate diets evaluated.

Keywords:

• Economics of alternative diets
• catfish feeds
• alternative diets
• 32% protein diets

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the students, staff, and station crew of the UAPB Aquaculture Research Station for assistance throughout this study. George Selden, Larry Dorman, and Todd Sink provided helpful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this manuscript. This study was funded in part by USDA-CSREES Agreement No. 2006–34454–17566.