Research Verification of Production Practices Using Intensive Aeration at a Hybrid Catfish Operation

Aquaculture research verification programs are designed to demonstrate and test research-based practices recommended by extension services on commercial-scale operations. From 2010 to 2013, in western Alabama, three management protocols were followed over three crop cycles on a farm producing hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus) using high levels of aeration. The protocols were an owner-defined, multiple-batch treatment and single-batch and multiple-batch treatments defined by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES). Results from nine production cycles were analyzed to calculate yields, feed conversion ratios (FCRs), cost of production, and net returns. Over three production cycles the owner-defined, multiple-batch treatment outperformed the two ACES-recommended treatments in terms of yield, survival, FCR, and net returns. The owner-defined treatment could vary, and the producer chose to feed above the recommended daily maximum and observed no low dissolved oxygen levels. High losses owing to disease in the ACES multiple-batch treatment led to poor results. The owner-defined multiple-batch system completed three crops in 2.8 years compared with 3.6–3.7 years for the other two treatments. Thus, this study highlights the importance of research-based recommendations being verified under commercial catfish production conditions and the value of research verification programs.