Catfish operations in the three major producing States (Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi) had 159 million foodsize fish
on hand on the first of July, 2011, down 25 per cent from the first of July, 2010 total of 212 million foodsize fish.
The breakouts of foodsize fish inventory numbers on the first of July, 2011, with their respective per cent change from the previous year were: large
foodsize, 2.57 million fish, down 60 per cent; medium foodsize, 33.8 million fish, down 45 per cent; and small foodsize,
122 million fish, down 15 per cent.
The three major States also had 430 thousand broodfish on hand on the first of July, 2011, down five per cent from last year's
455 thousand broodfish.
The number of large stockers on hand on the first of July, 2011, totaled 176 million fish, up six per cent from the 166 million fish on
hand a year ago.
There were 173 million small stockers, up two per cent from last year. Producers had 732 million fingerlings
and fry on hand on the first of July, 2011.
The water surface area to be used for catfish production during the first of July through December 31, 2011, totaled 81.4 thousand
acres, down 14 per cent from a year ago.
Acres used for foodsize fish totaled 65.5 thousand acres, down 17 per cent from
the same time period in 2010.
Acres for broodfish decreased 13 per cent to 1.60 thousand acres, and acres used for
fingerling production decreased eight per cent to 11.5 thousand acres.
Acres taken out of production during the first of
January, 2011 through 30 June, 2011 period totaled 4.54 thousand acres, while 2.23 thousand acres of the total in
production were scheduled to be renovated from the first of July, 2011 to 31 December, 2011.
The number of operations on the first of July, 2011 in the three major States totaled 389, down 14 per cent from last years total of 454 operations.
Further Reading
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