May 13, 2008

New feed formulation could relief Arkansas catfish farmers
 

Soaring feed prices and strong competition from catfish imports are pushing Arkansas catfish farmers hard but a new feed formulation could help to alleviate their plight, according to Carole R. Engle, director of the Aquaculture/Fisheries Centre at the University of Arkansas.

Record grain and oilseed prices in 2007 have pushed catfish production costs in Arkansas to record levels, and Engle is concerned that catfish farmers may be forced to leave the business.

Arkansas ranks third in the US in catfish production. There are about 130 catfish farmers in Arkansas, down from about 150 two years ago, with just under 30,000 acres of ponds, according to Engle's estimation.

However, some feed mills have come out with new feed formulations that are cheaper, uses different ingredients but still provide a 32 percent protein level that catfish requires, said Engle.

The new feeds are US$60-70 per tonne cheaper than previous formulations and it consists of corn gluten, lower soymeal content and other ingredients used to keep the price lower while maintaining a sufficient protein level.

The cheaper formulations are selling for about US$325 per tonne, which is still expensive but could make a vast difference in a farmer's bottom line, said Engle.