Mentoring a small-scale poultry/catfish grower with the Beginning Farmer Mentors Program began during summer of 20220. This program is a joint effort between the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. Securing the farm loan for the catfish production was contingent on having a mentor for guidance. Located in western Kentucky, the 20-year-old farm consists of 4 broiler houses to contract grow chickens and 25 acres of water divided into six catfish. Although the farmer had some experience with raising poultry, he had no experience growing catfish and is the farm’s only full-time employee. Part time help is hired from the surrounding community for fish harvests.
Four-to-six-inch-long fingerlings were stocked in June of 2020 with 5,000 fish stocked per acre. Fish were fed most days to satiation with a 32 – 28% catfish diet. Harvesting 1 – 4 lb. fish began during late spring of 2022. At this time, additional fingerlings were stocked at approximately 6,000 fish per acre. To date an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 lbs. have been harvested. Fish are sold to live haul truck drivers for stocking in fee fishing operations at prices of $1.30 to $1.35 per pound.
Production challenges consist of ponds in need of renovation which make seining difficult. Paddlewheel aerators and fish harvest equipment are worn and require frequent repair. Incidence of disease and low dissolved oxygen caused some loss of fish during the spring. Acceptance of the importance of testing water quality on a regular basis remains a challenge to effectively communicate. Cash flow issues have occurred where revenue from catfish sales have paid for poultry production costs.
Positive developments include temporary fish harvesting labor has been readily available. Live catfish prices remain strong, which is critical for the success of small-scale growers. Demand for catfish exceeds local supply and allows producers to market their fish at competitive prices. Ideally, 20,000 to 30,000 lbs. of market sized fish would be held over winter to sell during the early spring of 2023. Catfish growth will resume in late spring when water temperatures warm.