Production practices
Fish will be raised in multiple-batch
production, and this budget reflects
annual costs after the first year. The
first year is distinct because it takes
about 18 months to raise fish to the
size needed for the live market. In
the first year a producer may want
to purchase food fish or stockers
(large fingerlings at least 8 inches
long) so that sales can begin sooner.
After the first year, ponds will be
stocked each spring with 3,750 fingerlings
per acre. They should weigh
1/3 pound each by fall and grow to
market size the next year. The
expected marketable yield, after the
first year, is 4,500 pounds of 1.75-
pound fish.
Survival is estimated to be 70 percent.
The feed conversion ratio
(FCR) is estimated at 2.2:1 (2.2
pounds of feed will produce 1
pound of fish) using a 32 percent
floating catfish pellet. A FCR of 1.3
to 1.5 was obtained during experimental
trials. However, fish probably
will be held for a time waiting
for market and will need to be fed
periodically during the winter so a
conservative FCR is used.
A permanent, 3-hp, electric, paddlewheel
aerator in each pond (1.5 hp
per acre) is placed on a timer and
run nightly during the summer. One
spare electric aerator is included. A
tractor-powered aerator provides
emergency aeration. Labor is
charged at $6 per hour and is based
on 3 hours daily for 6 months (546
hours) and 30 minutes daily for the
remainder of the year (91 hours).
The farmer may provide all or most
of this labor, but full labor costs are
included in the budget to accurately
reflect production costs.