The total area used in the top three U.S. states for catfish production shrank 3 percent last year, according to a report released in July by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
However, the agency reported that Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi had more foodsize fish in their inventory.
The three states reported 53,200 water-surface acres were being used for production for the six-month period beginning on 1 July, 2021, compared to 54,800 acres that were in use for the same period last year.
The stock of foodsize fish increased by 4 percent over the same period. Of the 110.3 million fish available – up from 105.5 million last year – the large majority are classed small. Catfish averaging one pound in weight accounted for 79.1 million of the inventory, up from 76.7 million last year.
The inventories for medium- and large-size catfish also grew. The states reported the stock of medium catfish, with an average weight of two pounds, increased by about 1.8 million to 28.1 million. Large catfish, averaging 3.6 pounds in weight, jumped up by 660,000 to 3.2 million.
Mississippi producers account for a majority of the foodsize stock, with 61.6 million on-hand. Alabama producers reported 42.4 million.
While Mississippi led with 46.5 million small and 13.9 million medium foodsize catfish, Alabama reported the most large-sized fish, with a stock of 1.7 million.
The states reported more broodfish on hand as well. Producers reported 615,000 catfish kept for egg production and fertilization. That’s an increase of 19 percent from last year. Mississippi producers accounted for 580,000 of the broodfish.
Stocker fish population, though, did decline, thanks to a drop in small stockers. Overall, producers reported 317.3 million stockers, down from 324.9 million last year. While the number of large stockers rose marginally from 148.3 million last year to 148.6 million this year, the number of smaller-sized fish fell from 176.7 million to 168.7 million.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service contacts catfish producers in the three states by mailing surveys as 1 July approaches. Those who don’t reply receive phone calls or visits from staffers. The agency notes that since the figures are based on a census of known active farmers, not all catfish farmers may have been polled, and that the reports are subject to tabulation errors.
Photo courtesy of Alabama A&M and Auburn Cooperative Extension
