Multi-batch catfish production and economic analysis using alternative (low-cost) diets with corn gluten feed and traditional diets with meat and bone meal

We conducted concurrent feeding trials for one growing season with channel catfish in ponds in Mississippi and Arkansas to evaluate the production and economic effects of alternative (low-cost) feeds containing 28 or 32% protein and alternative (corn gluten feed) or traditional (porcine meat, bone and blood meal) protein sources. Supplemental lysine was added to all diets except the 32% protein traditional diet to meet the available lysine requirement for catfish. Higher concentrations of dicalcium phosphate were also included in the alternative diets to meet the available phosphorus requirement for catfish. Fish were stocked in a multi-batch system and the same diets and general management protocols were used at both sites. At harvest, there were no differences in the total amount of feed fed, yield of market-size fish, mean weight of market-size fish, feed conversion, survival, carcass yield, or fillet yield among dietary treatments at both sites. There were some differences in processing yield and fillet composition, but the main diet effect was the higher yield of fingerlings fed diets with 32% protein compared to 28% protein in the Arkansas trial. The 28% protein alternative (corn gluten feed) diet would result in the best Year 1 cash flow because the yield of marketable fish was the same, at a lower total feed cost. However, the lower yield of fingerlings fed 28% protein diets will weaken the farm's balance sheet and show reduced profitability. Second-year performance and economics of understocked fish fed 28% protein diets are unknown.

► Production & economics of different feeds were evaluated in channel catfish in ponds.
► Feed fed, weight, yield of marketable fish, FCR, & survival were similar among diets.
► The 28% protein corn gluten feed diet gave best Year-1 cash flow.
► UAPB fingerling data showed the 32% alternative diet would be most profitable.
► Economics of understocked fish fed 28% protein diets in Year 2 are unknown.