Aq 4 (2-09)
Catfish Feed
Deliveries
National Agricultural Statistics Service
USDA
Washington, D.C.
Released February 20, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For
information on "Catfish Feed Deliveries" call Charles Butler at 601-965-4575,
office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.
January 2009 Catfish Feed Deliveries Up 30 Percent from Last Year
Total catfish feed delivered in the United States during January was
4,709 tons, up 30 percent from January 2008 and 9 percent above the previous
month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totaled 4,455 tons, up 34 percent
from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and
broodfish totaled 254 tons, down 13 percent from the corresponding month a
year ago.
January feed delivered to Alabama catfish growers for foodsize fish totaled
1,992 tons, up 23 percent from last year. Alabama accounted for 45 percent
of the total foodsize catfish feed delivered to U.S. farmers.
The other major States with catfish feed deliveries for foodsize fish in
January and their comparison to the previous year were Arkansas with 165
tons, up 3 percent; Louisiana with 168 tons, up significantly; and
Mississippi with 782 tons, down 5 percent from last year.
Special Note
One table, which was included in previous Catfish Feed Deliveries reports, is
removed from this release as data cannot be published to avoid disclosure of
individual operations. The table that was removed is "Tons Delivered for
Fingerlings and Broodfish for Louisiana" on page 6.
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
United States, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ------ Tons ------ Percent ------ Tons ------ Percent
:
Jan : 3,316 4,455 134 3,316 4,455 134
Feb : 5,182 8,498
Mar : 16,491 24,989
Apr : 38,143 63,132
May : 81,333 144,465
Jun : 120,833 265,298
Jul : 124,571 389,869
Aug : 114,866 504,735
Sep : 107,400 612,135
Oct : 58,811 670,946
Nov : 14,404 685,350
Dec : 4,263 689,613
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Fingerlings and Broodfish,
United States, 2008-2009 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----- Tons ----- Percent ------ Tons ----- Percent
:
Jan : 293 254 87 293 254 87
Feb : 238 531
Mar : 482 1,013
Apr : 986 1,999
May : 1,392 3,391
Jun : 1,755 5,146
Jul : 3,078 8,224
Aug : 2,857 11,081
Sep : 1,935 13,016
Oct : 749 13,765
Nov : 360 14,125
Dec : 43 14,168
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ The sum of the published States may not equal the total to avoid disclosure
of individual operations.
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
Alabama, 2008-2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month: By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ------ Tons ------ Percent ------ Tons ------ Percent
:
Jan : 1,617 1,992 123 1,617 1,992 123
Feb : 2,103 3,720
Mar : 5,224 8,944
Apr : 9,435 18,379
May : 19,235 37,614
Jun : 34,461 72,075
Jul : 34,535 106,610
Aug : 32,978 139,588
Sep : 28,119 167,707
Oct : 16,740 184,447
Nov : 5,314 189,761
Dec : 2,023 191,784
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
Arkansas, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ------ Tons ----- Percent ------ Tons ----- Percent
:
Jan : 160 165 103 160 165 103
Feb : 163 323
Mar : 1,302 1,625
Apr : 4,770 6,395
May : 12,094 18,489
Jun : 14,971 33,460
Jul : 16,137 49,597
Aug : 14,912 64,509
Sep : 14,726 79,235
Oct : 7,971 87,206
Nov : 1,721 88,927
Dec : 202 89,129
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Fingerlings and Broodfish,
Arkansas, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ---- Tons ---- Percent ----- Tons ---- Percent
:
Jan : 198 50 25 198 50 25
Feb : 126 324
Mar : 164 488
Apr : 326 814
May : 494 1,308
Jun : 461 1,769
Jul : 528 2,297
Aug : 676 2,973
Sep : 589 3,562
Oct : 47 3,609
Nov : 154 3,763
Dec : 3,763
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
Louisiana, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----- Tons ----- Percent ------ Tons ----- Percent
:
Jan : 30 168 560 30 168 560
Feb : 104 134
Mar : 359 493
Apr : 1,532 2,025
May : 2,741 4,766
Jun : 1,983 6,749
Jul : 2,861 9,610
Aug : 2,260 11,870
Sep : 2,674 14,544
Oct : 1,971 16,515
Nov : 359 16,874
Dec : 60 16,934
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
Mississippi, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ------ Tons ----- Percent ------ Tons ----- Percent
:
Jan : 825 782 95 825 782 95
Feb : 1,462 2,287
Mar : 6,590 8,877
Apr : 18,222 27,099
May : 42,292 69,391
Jun : 63,735 133,126
Jul : 65,177 198,303
Aug : 58,766 257,069
Sep : 54,664 311,733
Oct : 26,948 338,681
Nov : 4,566 343,247
Dec : 419 343,666
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Fingerlings and Broodfish,
Mississippi, 2008-2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month: By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----- Tons ---- Percent ----- Tons ---- Percent
:
Jan : 41 41 100 41 41 100
Feb : 49 90
Mar : 212 302
Apr : 488 790
May : 699 1,489
Jun : 1,169 2,658
Jul : 2,425 5,083
Aug : 1,923 7,006
Sep : 1,109 8,115
Oct : 575 8,690
Nov : 120 8,810
Dec : 8,810
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
Other States East of the Mississippi River, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----- Tons ----- Percent ------ Tons ----- Percent
:
Jan : 159 357 225 159 357 225
Feb : 262 421
Mar : 771 1,192
Apr : 1,361 2,553
May : 1,960 4,513
Jun : 1,739 6,252
Jul : 2,488 8,740
Aug : 2,473 11,213
Sep : 2,808 14,021
Oct : 1,366 15,387
Nov : 601 15,988
Dec : 238 16,226
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Foodsize Fish,
Other States West of the Mississippi River, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----- Tons ----- Percent ------ Tons ----- Percent
:
Jan : 525 991 189 525 991 189
Feb : 1,088 1,613
Mar : 2,245 3,858
Apr : 2,823 6,681
May : 3,011 9,692
Jun : 3,944 13,636
Jul : 3,373 17,009
Aug : 3,477 20,486
Sep : 4,409 24,895
Oct : 3,815 28,710
Nov : 1,843 30,553
Dec : 1,321 31,874
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catfish Feed: Tons Delivered For Fingerlings and Broodfish,
Other States West of the Mississippi River, 2008-2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : By Month :Percent of : Cumulative :Percent of
:-----------------------: Previous :-----------------------: Previous
: 2008 : 2009 : Year : 2008 : 2009 : Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----- Tons ---- Percent ----- Tons ---- Percent
:
Jan : 11 143 1,300 11 143 1,300
Feb : 6 17
Mar : 70 87
Apr : 52 139
May : 63 202
Jun : 33 235
Jul : 60 295
Aug : 190 485
Sep : 103 588
Oct : 82 670
Nov : 56 726
Dec : 25 751
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reliability of Catfish Feed Deliveries Estimates
Survey Procedures: All participating catfish feed mills are feed mills that
produce and deliver catfish feed to bonafide catfish producers. Survey data
for catfish feed are collected from feed mills by the USDA-NASS Mississippi
Field Office, which is responsible for ensuring survey coverage is as
complete as possible. Mills are contacted by mail, telephone, fax, or
internet. Diligent effort is made to ensure that all operations are
accounted for in the estimate.
Estimation Procedures: The "Catfish Feed Deliveries" report refers strictly
to catfish feed delivered to bonafide catfish producers and excludes catfish
feed delivered to producers of other species. The totals include both bagged
and bulk feed. Prior to summarization, questionnaires are compared to
previous reports for comparability. Estimates are made for feed mills whose
reports are not available in time to be included in the release. Those mills
are identified by an asterisk on page 11 of this release. Estimates are
based on the mill's previous reports and current conditions. Published
totals are a straight summation of the individual reports and estimated data.
If a mill uses a fiscal accounting system, proration is used to convert
reported data to a calendar month basis.
Two unusual features of this report are worthy of note: (1) cooperating feed
mills are listed by name, and (2) it is impossible for the public to infer
the amount of catfish feed produced in each State. Since many mills deliver
feed to more than one State and to growers of other species, any inferences
about overall production per State or per mill are not valid.
Revision Policy: Revisions may be necessary in the following month's
publication pending a review of late reports received from mills. Revisions
to previous estimates are made to improve month-to-month relationships.
Estimates for the previous month are subject to revision in all States and
regions monthly totals. In February, all monthly estimates for the previous
year are reviewed and subject to revisions. The review is primarily based on
data that may have been received after the original estimates were published.
Reliability: Estimates are based on data from cooperating catfish feed
mills, and therefore have no sampling variability. However, estimates may be
subject to errors such as omissions, duplication, mistakes in reporting,
recording, and processing of data. These errors are minimized through strict
quality controls in the edit and summarization process and a careful review
of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness.
Terms and Definitions Used for Catfish Feed Deliveries Estimates
Broodfish - Fish kept for egg production, including males. Broodfish produce
the fertilized eggs that go to hatcheries. The most desirable size is 3 to
10 pounds or 4 to 6 years of age.
Catfish Feed - For the purposes of this report catfish feed is defined as
feed delivered to bonafide catfish producers. Thus, it is not the absolute
total amount of feed produced or even sold by a mill. (Some catfish feed is
sold to producers of other species of fish.) The definition includes
medicated feed. Catfish feed is designed to float on the surface of the
water. Catfish are fed this way from the moment they hatch. Therefore, they
learn to go to the surface for feed. The result is a clean nutritious diet
for American farm raised catfish.
Catfish Feed for Foodsize Fish - Feed containing pellets larger than 1/8 of
an inch.
Catfish Feed for Fingerlings/Broodfish - Feed containing pellets 1/8 of an
inch or smaller.
Fingerlings - Fish weighing 2 to 60 pounds per 1,000 fish or 2 to 6 inches in
length.
Foodsize Fish - Fish being grown commercially for human consumption. Optimum
sizes at harvest depend on the market but are generally no lower than 3/4
pound but near one pound.
Data were compiled in cooperation with the following feed mills:
Alabama Feed Mill LLC Land O Lakes
Arkat Feeds Melick Aqua Feed LLC
Cargill Animal Nutrition Rangen Inc.
Carolina Fish Feeds Silver Cup
Delta Western Southfresh Feeds
Fishbelt Feeds Inc. Star Milling Co.
Flint River Mills Inc. Topwater Feed Mill
Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the
National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional
information.
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch................................(202) 720-3570
Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section.........(202) 720-4447
Charles Butler - Catfish Feed Deliveries........................(601) 965-4575
David Colwell - Cold Storage....................................(202) 720-8784
Fleming Gibson - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery,
Turkeys Raised.................................(202) 690-3237
Sharyn Lavender - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Honey.....(202) 720-3244
Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs......................................(202) 690-8632
Bruce Boess - Catfish Processing, Catfish Production,
Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture,
Egg Products, Mink................................(202) 720-4447
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