Water Surface Acres at 63,700 Acres
The water surface area to be used for catfish production in the three major producing States (Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi) during July 1 through December 31, 2014, totaled 63.7 thousand acres. Acres used for foodsize fish totaled 49.8 thousand acres. Acres used for fingerling production at 8.53 thousand acres, and acres for broodfish at 1.35 thousand acres.
Of the total acres in production, 4.16 thousand were scheduled to be renovated from July 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014, while acres taken out of production during the January 1, 2014, through June 30, 2014, period totaled 2.34 thousand acres.
After a year absence due to sequestration, the July Catfish Production report has been reinstated.
Foodsize Inventory at 119 Million Fish
Catfish operations in the three major producing States had 119 million foodsize fish on hand on July 1, 2014. The breakouts of foodsize fish inventory numbers on July 1, 2014 were: large foodsize, 1.65 million fish; medium foodsize, 21.5 million fish; and small foodsize 96.1 million fish. The three major States also had 440 thousand broodfish on hand on July 1, 2014.
Catfish operations in the three major producing States had 268 million stockers on hand on July 1, 2014. The breakouts of stocker fish inventory numbers on July 1, 2014: large stockers, 152 million fish; and small stockers, 116 million fish. Producers had 511 million fingerlings and fry on hand on July 1, 2014.
