Source: AUBURN UNIVERSITY submitted to
ECONOMICS OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION IN ALABAMA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0222158
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
ALA016-1-10022
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2010
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2015
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Hanson, TE.
Recipient Organization
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
108 M. WHITE SMITH HALL
AUBURN,AL 36849
Performing Department
Fisheries & Allied Aquaculture
Non Technical Summary
The channel catfish industry is the dominant form of aquaculture in Alabama. In 2008 Alabama produced 132 million lbs of product. Counties within the Black Belt soil region of west Alabama are among the most economically depressed in the state and nation. In addition to having median family incomes below state and national averages, west Alabama also suffers from job availability and the potential for gainful employment. One of the largest sources of employment and income in west Alabama is the catfish industry. Approximately 4,000 Alabamians rely on jobs directly engaged in the catfish industry including jobs on farms, processing plants, feed mills, harvest seine crews, or provide other goods and services necessary for the catfish industry. Future losses are predicted as competition from foreign markets, which supply alternatives fish products continues to take a toll on the west Alabama economy. Due to increased operating costs and foreign competition, catfish farmers and processors need to constantly seek ways to improve the efficiency and profitability of their operations. This project will investigate the economic implications of aquaculture research and work toward improved production and processing efficiencies and greater profitability for operators. Surveys, meetings and personal communications with farmers in the Black Belt region of Alabama will be conducted to ascertain current production practices and associated costs. Secondary data will also be incorporated into the production cost structure at the industry level. Through collaborative work with scientists at Auburn University - Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, numerous production problem issues will be economically evaluated. Enterprise budget analyses, mixed integer programming and other optimizing techniques will be used to evaluate the economic implications of alternative or modified production practices at the experimental level. Further analysis of research data will relate findings to farm production scenarios. Results will be presented at farmer attended extension workshops and meetings as well as at professional meetings and also published in regional, national and international aquaculture and agricultural economics journals, and experiment station publications. The expected outcome will be improved efficiency on aquaculture farms resulting in viable operations having lower production costs, and can allow US processors to better compete in the national marketplace.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
6013799301010%
3073710301010%
3073799301010%
6013710301040%
6013721301010%
6013719301010%
6013723301010%
Knowledge Area
307 - Animal Management Systems; 601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
3723 - Oysters; 3719 - Other cultured finfish; 3721 - Marine shrimp; 3710 - Catfish; 3799 - Cultured aquatic animals, general/other;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;
Goals / Objectives
The proposed research is designed to evaluate the cost of aquaculture production under current and future management and technologies for the Black Belt soil region of Alabama. Aquaculture production problems being researched by scientists at Auburn University will be economically assessed and applied to farm level production scenarios. Costs of production information under current aquaculture practices will be compared to the economics of experimental research results. Presentation of comparative analyses will be presented to producers and researchers through extension workshops, professional meetings, journal articles, and experiment station publications. General objectives of this project are to examine high-value production problem issues whose solutions would provide the most benefit to established and new aquaculture producers, processors, and ultimately the consumer. Specific objectives are to: 1) Update Black Belt Alabama aquaculture farm production practices and technologies; 2) Analyze costs and returns for current production practices of foodsize catfish operations and look for possible efficiencies that can be detected; 3)Analyze the results of aquaculture research being conducted at the Auburn University - Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station for their economic implications to farm production of aquaculture species; and 4) Disseminate findings to aquaculture producers, researchers, extension services, and general media.
Project Methods
Objectives 1 and 2: surveys, meetings and personal communications with farmers in the Black Belt region of Alabama will be conducted to ascertain current production practices and associated costs. Secondary (USDA, NASS 2009) data will also be incorporated into the production cost structure at the industry level. Additional information will be collected from input suppliers, pond builders, and other machinery dealers to round out the total costs required for enterprise budgeting. Lending agencies require three-year cash flow statements and catfish are not harvest-sized until 18 months, and thus, example cash flow statements will be developed for farmers and lenders to consult. Analysis of whole farm situations can be conducted from gathered information using mixed integer programming models. Objective 3: Through collaborative work with scientists at Auburn University - Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, numerous production problem issues will be economically evaluated. Enterprise budget analyses, mixed integer programming and other optimizing techniques will be used to evaluate the economic implications of alternative or modified production practices at the experimental level. Further analysis of research data will relate findings to farm production scenarios that would result from Objectives 1 and 2. Objective 4: Results should be publishable in regional, national and international aquaculture and agricultural economics journals, and experiment station publications. The costs to solve or reduce aquaculture production problems will be presented at farmer attended extension workshops and meetings as well as at professional meetings.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The audience that this project targetted included aquaculture producers and processors in Alabama. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided opportunities for catfish producers to better understand the economics of their catfish production and also to get an economic understanding of how research results would affect their bottom line. Person professional development occurred for me when I attended and presented at professional world aquaculture society meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Describe how the results have been disseminated to communities of interest. Include any outreach activities that have been undertaken to reach members of communities who are not usually aware of these research activities for the purpose of enhancing public understanding and increasing interest in learning and careers in science, technology, and the humanities. Results from this project were disseminated through at least three extension meetings per year conducted where catfish production occurs in Alabama. Additionally, we have initiated an Aquaculture and Fisheries Business Institute where we are trying to introduce aquaculture as a new agriculture business opportunity. This approach is being done through presentations at an annual Food Entrepreneur Workshop where aquaculture is not traditionally found. Also, our research is interdisciplinary and graduate students benefit from this as they are exposed to aquaculture areas such as nutrition, water quality, economics, systems development, genetics, animal health, etc. The research typically involves graduate students that graduate and go on to work inaquaculture businesses or further their education by going for doctorates or on to research positions. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? - A survey of catfish producers in Alabama provided baseline data on their production practices and knowledge of their costs of production and major issues facing individual producers and the Alabama catfish industry. - A major finding was that producers using 32% protein feed did better economically than those using 28% protein feed, a counterintuitive finding since 28% protein feed is less expensive than 32% protein feed. The explanation involves higher survival rates and better feed conversion ratios with the 32% protein feed. - In-pond raceway system development occurring at Auburn University has been economically analyzed for its construction and operating costs. This system continues to evolve with significant reductions in construction costs. Operating costs are high and they are profitable but only when stocked fairly high and there is high survival. Some issues have arisen regarding getting fish to harvest size in one year. These systems will continue to be researched as they offer many, many benefits over traditional pond culture of catfish, including better inventory control, better feed conversion, less expensive chemical treatment costs, keeping predatory birds at bay, ease of harvest. - Researchers and extension personnel involved in this project have been successful in disseminating research results through a variety of outlets including West Alabama extension meetings and workshops, localized newsletter publications, journal articles, and professional meeting presentations.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Boxman, S.E., A. Kruglick, B. McCarthy, N.P. Brennan, M. Nystrom, S.J. Ergas, T. Hanson, K.L. Main and M.A. Trotz. 2015. Performance evaluation of a commercial land-based integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system using constructed wetlands and geotextile bags for solids treatment. Aquaculture Engineering, 69 (2015) 23-36.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., L.A. Roy, T.R. Hanson, J.A. Chappell and G.N. Whitis. 2015. Research verification of production practices at an intensive aeration at a hybrid catfish operation. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 77:4, 460-470, DOI: 10.108015222055.2015.1047543 ; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2015.1047543 .
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2015. Aquaculture Economics: The Impact of Diseases on Aquacultures Ability to Feed a Growing World Population. Invited presentation, Food Security for the Future: The Role of Aquatic Animal Health conference, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, October 21-23.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.W. Brown, L.A. Roy and T.R. Hanson. 2015. Chemical Treatment Costs Reduced with In-Pond Raceway Systems. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.R. Hanson, L.A. Roy, W. Powe and J.A. Chappell. 2015. Production and Economics of an In-Pond Raceway System for Supplying Niche Markets with Catfish. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R., D.I. Prangnell, L.F. Castro, T.R. Zeigler, T.A. Markey, C.L. Browdy, D. Honious, B. Advent, and T.M. Samocha. 2015. The Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in Zero-Exchange, Biofloc Dominated Systems. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R. Hanson. 2015. Develop and Use of Socioeconomic and Business Research to Advance Domestic Aquaculture. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Rhodes, M., I.S.T. Vicente, G. Salze, D.A. Davis and T. Hanson. 2015. Inclusion of Amino Acids and Attractants in Plant Based Diets To Support Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus Growth. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Roe, C., M. Rhodes, D.A. Davis, Y. Zhou, T.P.T.H. Van, T. Hanson and G. Salze. 2015. Improving High Soy Feed Formulations for Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus through Enzyme Supplementation. Presented at the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc Annual Meeting, February 11  12, Prattville, AL.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2015. State of the U.S. Catfish Industry  By The Numbers. Abstract printed in Research and Review  A Compilation of Abstracts of Research on Channel Catfish 2015 from the 2015 Catfish Culture Research Symposium, Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, Natchez, MS, February 27- March 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R., L. Roy, L. Bott, G. Whitis and J. Chappell. 2015. Alabama Yield Verification Program Hybrid Catfish Cost of Production. Abstract printed in Research and Review  A Compilation of Abstracts of Research on Channel Catfish 2015 from the 2015 Catfish Culture Research Symposium, Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, Natchez, MS, February 27- March 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R., L.B. Bott, L.A. Roy, G.N. Whitis and J.A. Chappell. 2015. Production and Economic Evaluation of a Hybrid Catfish Production Operation Using Intensive Aeration in West Alabama. Abstract printed in Research and Review  A Compilation of Abstracts of Research on Channel Catfish 2015 from the 2015 Catfish Culture Research Symposium, Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, Natchez, MS, February 27- March 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Engle, C., M. Dey, R. Sexton, T. Saitone, T. Hanson and M. Cook. 2015. Can Collective Action Make the U.S. Catfish Industry More Competitive in a Global Market? Abstract printed in Research and Review  A Compilation of Abstracts of Research on Channel Catfish 2015 from the 2015 Catfish Culture Research Symposium, Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, Natchez, MS, February 27- March 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.W. Brown, L.A. Roy and T.R. Hanson. 2015. In-pond Raceway Systems Can Reduce Chemical Treatment Costs. Abstract printed in Research and Review  A Compilation of Abstracts of Research on Channel Catfish 2015 from the 2015 Catfish Culture Research Symposium, Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, Natchez, MS, February 27- March 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.R. Hanson, L.A. Roy, W. Powe and J.A. Chappell. 2015. In-pond Raceway Systems Effectively Supply Niche Markets with Catfish. Abstract printed in Research and Review  A Compilation of Abstracts of Research on Channel Catfish 2015 from the 2015 Catfish Culture Research Symposium, Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, Natchez, MS, February 27- March 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.W. Brown, L.A. Roy and T.R. Hanson. 2015. Chemical Treatment Costs Reduced with In-Pond Raceway Systems. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2015, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana, p. 61.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.R. Hanson, L.A. Roy, W. Powe and J.A. Chappell. 2015. Production and Economics of an In-Pond Raceway System for Supplying Niche Markets with Catfish. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2015, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana, p. 62.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2015. Develop and Use of Socioeconomic and Business Research to Advance Domestic Aquaculture. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2015, February 19  22, New Orleans, Louisiana, p. 199.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chatvijitkul, Sirirat. 2015. Chemical Composition and Pollution Potential of Fish and Shrimp Feeds. Ph.D. dissertation. School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, December.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Pickens, Jeremy. 2015. Integrating Effluent from Recirculating Aquaculture Systems with Greenhouse Cucumber and Tomato Production. Ph.D. dissertation. School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, August.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bott, Lisa B. 2015. Catfish Research Verification Trials in West Alabama Using Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Hybrid Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus x Ictalurus furcatus)." M.S. thesis, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, May.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Li, Yilin. 2015. Evaluation of Bacterial Amendments for Improving Water Quality in Alabama Catfish Ponds. Ph.D. dissertation, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, August.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Stuckey, Ginger Louise. 2015. Comparison of Ictalurid Hybrid Crosses (Ictalurus punctatus x Ictalurus furcatus) in Floating In-Pond Raceway Systems. M.S. thesis, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, May.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The audience that this project targetted included aquaculture producers and processors in Alabama. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has resulted in one M.S. graduate who learned how to conduct a cost-benefit analysis tool as he applied it to the construction and operation of an in-pond raceway system growing hybrid catfish. Three extension workshops delivered to catfish producers in 2014 provided information about the world aquaculture situation. A workshop that brought together aquaculture industry, support industries and researchers provided a needed roundtable for ideas and action items to make domestic aquaculture grow. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results from this project have been provided in reports, articles and presentation formats to catfish industry participants at Extension workshops, aquaculture association meetings, aquaculture professional society meetings, journals, and trade magazines. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The goals are being met in this project and the plan to continue working on the economics of aquaculture production and enhancing the efficiencies of he catfish industry value chain will proceed as originally planned. A virulent strain of Aeromonas hydrophila has been ravaging Alabama catfish farms since 2009. Efforts have been made to research this disease and develop vaccines and probiotics to help control this threat. Economically, the losses have been huge, in the millions of dollars, and efforts to conduct research trials in 2015 are underway.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The "Pond-to-Plate" project' is a broad umbrella project addressing the needs of the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries. Several studies and outreach efforts within the "Pond-to-Plate" project are funded. The project is multi-disciplinary in nature involving economics, business, production and marketing. Involvement of the private sector is the critical element that makes this project work. Individual and integrated research and extension efforts, such as the yield verification project, yellow/red fillet production-processing project, new technology introduction project, initiatives to coordinate responses to catfish disease/health management, and cost of production studies, were in full swing in 2014 and will continue in 2015. These efforts were developed with catfish industry representatives and represent their priority areas. Our goal is to assist the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries transform itself into a modern livestock industry. A study on the spread of the virulent Aeromonas hydrophila in West Alabama has been completed and factors affecting the spread of the disease have been formulated. It is still too early to know if these factors will bring the relief sought by this project but it provides an initial study with management recommendations. The in-pond raceway system is a new technology that provides many benefits tocatfish (and other fish) producers. It is still under development and data continues to be collected on research station trials and some industry sites to determine the production parameters of this system. This production platform can also be used as a research platform as it can be put into a pond and each raceway cell receives the same water, thus allowing for experiment replication with reduced confounding factors. This system was reviewed economically in 2014 with construction and operating expense data having been collected and put into an enterprise budget format. The results resulted in a Masters thesis and several presentations. This system will be used in West Alabama to conduct Aeromonas research trials seeking to reduce mortalitites. A production verification trial on three commercial catfish farms in West Alabama was completed and data has been analyzed. The farm using hybrid catfish andmore aeration per surface water acre hadr faster fish growth, better feed conversion ratios and wereprofitable. However, disease mortalities were present in two crops and lowered survival substantially though over three crops all ponds in the trials were profitable. In 2014, results fromFY 2013 work were presented at the World Aquaculture Society meetings held inearly 2014. Presentation of results were related to the Florida pompano trials, production/efficiency/profitablility models for catfish farmers in West Alabama, approaches to control off-flavor and off-color in catfish,economic valuation of in-pond raceway systems in West Alabama, biofloc shrimpproduction economics, and presenting catfish industry production/processing and feed prices to catfish industry groups.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bebak, J., B. Wagner, B. Burnes, and T. Hanson. 2014. Farm size, seining practices, and salt use: risk factors for Aeromonas hydrophila outbreaks in farm-raised catfish, Alabama, USA. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, PREVET (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.11.001
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Brown, T.W., T.R. Hanson, J.A. Chappell and C.E. Boyd. 2014. Economic Feasibility of an In-Pond Raceway System for Commercial Catfish Production in West Alabama. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 76:79-89.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Engle, C., M. Dey, R. Sexton, T. Saitone, T. Hanson and M. Cook. 2014. Can Collective Action Make the U.S. Catfish Industry More Competitive in a Global Market? Abstract for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Aquaculture/Fisheries Field Day, October 2.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rhodes, M.A., R. Cook, D. Yu, K. Oliveira, G. Sassi, D.A. Davis and T. R. Hanson. 2014. Response of Florida pompano to Increasing Numbers of Feedings. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 438.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R., L.A. Roy, L. Bott, G.N. Whitis and J.A. Chappell. 2014. Alabama Yield Verification Program  Catfish Cost of Production. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 190.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. and C.A. Courtwright. 2014. Production and Economic Efficiency: Developing Regression Models Predicting Total Production and Farm Profitability in the U.S. Catfish Industry. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 96.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. and C.A. Courtwright. 2014. A Farm Management Approach to Control Off-Flavor in Processed Catfish. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 98.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bott, L., T.W. Brown, L.A. Roy and T.R. Hanson. 2014. Chemical Treatment Costs Reduced With In-Pond Raceway Systems. Global Aquaculture Advocate. July/August , vol. 17, no. 4:52-54.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Whitis, G., T. Hanson, L. Roy, J. Chappell and L. Bott. 2014. Using Graded Fingerlings in Intensive Commercial Catfish Production: Reality, Myth, and Does It Really Matter? Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 550.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Whitis, G., T. Hanson, L. Roy, J. Chappell and L. Bott. 2014. Field Validation of the FISHY Software Program for Catfish Production Using Three Years of Production Data from an Alabama Pond Verification Trial. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 549.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.R. Hanson, L.A. Roy and J.A. Chappell. 2014. Production and Economics of Hybrid Catfish Ictalurus punctatus x Ictalurus furcatus Raised in an In-Pond Raceway System in West Alabama. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 42.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R., L.A. Roy, L. Bott, G.N. Whitis and J.A. Chappell. 2014. Alabama Yield Verification Program  Catfish Cost of Production. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. and C.A. Courtwright. 2014. Production and Economic Efficiency: Developing Regression Models Predicting Total Production and Farm Profitability in the U.S. Catfish Industry. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. and C.A. Courtwright. 2014. A Farm Management Approach to Control Off-Flavor in Processed Catfish. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. and C.A. Courtwright. 2014. A Farm Management Approach to Control Yellow Fillet in Processed Catfish. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Whitis, G., T. Hanson, L. Roy, J. Chappell and L. Bott. 2014. Using Graded Fingerlings in Intensive Commercial Catfish Production: Reality, Myth, and Does It Really Matter? Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Whitis, G., T. Hanson, L. Roy, J. Chappell and L. Bott. 2014. Field Validation of the FISHY Software Program for Catfish Production Using Three Years of Production Data from an Alabama Pond Verification Trial. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bott, L.B., T.R. Hanson, L.A. Roy and J.A. Chappell. 2014. Production and Economics of Hybrid Catfish Ictalurus punctatus x Ictalurus furcatus Raised in an In-Pond Raceway System in West Alabama. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bott, L.B., L.A. Roy, T.R. Hanson, G.N. Whitis and J.A. Chappell. 2014. The Use of a Yield Verification Program to Evaluate Production Methods on a Hybrid Catfish Production Operation That Uses Intensive Aeration (10 hp/acre) in West Alabama. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bott, L.B., L.A. Roy, T.R. Hanson, G.N. Whitis and J.A. Chappell. 2014. The Use of a Yield Verification Program to Evaluate Production Methods on a Hybrid Catfish Production Operation That Uses Intensive Aeration (10 hp/acre) in West Alabama. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2014 meeting, February 9  12, Seattle, Washington, p. 43.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fern, M. 2014. An Economic Comparison of Three Intensive Fish Production Systems. M.S. Thesis, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, May.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Herbig, Jennifer. 2014. Movement Patterns of Gray Triggerfish, Balistes capriscus, around Artificial Reefs in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. M.S. thesis, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, May.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2014. Economic Overview of Biofloc-Dominated, Super-Intensive Litopenaeus vannamei Grow-out Raceways. Presented at the West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Incheon, Republic of Korea, August 5, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2014. State of the Catfish Industry By the Numbers. Presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Eufaula, AL, February 19-21.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chappell, J., T.R. Hanson, J. Pickens, J. Danaher and M. Fern. 2014. Re-Tasking Resources for 21st Century Aquaculture Development. Presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Eufaula, AL, February 19-21.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bott, L.B., L.A. Roy, T.R. Hanson, G.N. Whitis, J.A. Chappell. 2014. Yield Verification of Production Methods for an Intensively Aerated (10HP/Acre) Hybrid Catfish Operation in West Alabama. Presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Eufaula, AL, February 19-21.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2014. State of the Catfish Industry  By the Numbers. Presented at the Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, February 15.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The audience that this project targetted included aquaculture producers and processors in Alabama. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has resulted inone Ph.D. graduate who learned to conduct producer/processor surveys, data collection/entry, and data analysis using sophisticated statistical software packages. Three extension workshops delivered to catfish producers in 2013 provided information about theworldaquaculture situation, other agricultural livestock industry structures and a chance to provide their input into how theywould liketo see their industry evolve through 'clicker' voting technology that provided instant bar graphs of their responsesso discussion could ensue to better understand their viewpoints. This has allowed us to deliverworkshops more in-tune with their needs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results from this project have been provided in reports, articlesand presentation formats tocatfish industryparticipants at Extenstion workshops, aquaculture association meetings, aquaculture professional society meetings, journals, and trade magazines. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The goals are being met in this project and the plan to continue working on the economics of aquaculture production and enhancing the efficiencies of the catfish industry value chain will proceed as originally planned.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Pond-to-Plate efforts are addressing catfish industry priority concern areas. The goal is to assist the US and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries transform itself into a modern livestock industry through development of best management practices and standard operating procedures. Slowly this is being achieved as producers and processors begin to see results from trials located at their farms and interactions on their needs. In 2013 a catfishindustry wide study(Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas)was conducted toanalyze the industry’s key challenges and opportunities and develop alternative solution pathways. Extensive research and two intensive industry ground surveyscovering Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama and connecting with all levels of the industry value chain built the foundation for two final, inclusive workshops. The workshopsreviewed the industry’s situation, offered agricultural product proxies for discussion and helped foster dialogue and consensus-building efforts among U.S. farm-raised catfish stakeholders. Findings presented during the meetings highlighted the growing global demand for protein generally, and for aquaculture specifically. Participants were also presented with case studies from producers of cattle, poultry, pork and other products that revealed how they responded to challenges similar to those now faced by U.S. farm raised catfish. A neutral third-party facilitator from Group Solutions of Atlanta captured cross-sector support for future action priorities. Key takeaways included: 1) moving the needle will require increased production efficiency, raising quality standards (workmanship, flavor, consistency) and improved product marketing; 2) despite substantial shakeout in the catfish industry, workshop attendees expressed strong belief that they would still be in in the catfish business five years from now, and that the market for U.S. farm-raised catfish could be increased by 65 percent or more over the next 20 years; 3) renewed farmer/processor dialogue showed that value-chain linkages need to be improved. These workshops were a first step toward increasing cooperation between producers, processors, brokers and retailers; and 4) agreement on the need to highlight the fact that U.S. farm-raised catfish is an environmentally-friendly, locally grown, nutritious and sustainable protein. In sum, the industry has the potential for a consistently excellent product that should be able to exploit the exploding market for aquaculture products. However, to achieve this the industrymust update production and marketing methods. Industry stakeholders must find a way to work together to improve costs and maximize market share. After an extensive review of the findings, it was determined that the industry should proceed on four major objectives: 1) Quality: Cooperatively develop industry quality standards for producers and processors; 2) Price Stability: Achieve price stability through the development of production contracts that are equitable and binding on producers and processors; 3) Marketing: Empower the industry to improve the marketing of U.S. catfish and 4) Research Focus: Collectively focus the diverse knowledge and resources of the academic community on the profitability of the catfish industry. It is anticipated that the industry will establish separate task forces for each of the major objectives.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Brown, T.W., T.R. Hanson, J.A. Chappell and C.E. Boyd. 2014. Economic Feasibility of an In-Pond Raceway System for Commercial Catfish Production in West Alabama. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 76:79-89.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Peterman, M.A., D.J. Cline, T.R. Hanson and J.A. Chappell. 2013. Coloration Characteristics of Mechanically Processed Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Fillets Held in Refrigerated Storage for Seven Days. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 25:3, 239-247.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T. and G. Nguyen. 2013. Supermarket Sales of Crawfish and Competing Crustacean Products. Journal of Food Distribution Research, 44(1), March, 52-61.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Nguyen, G.V., T.R. Hanson and C.M. Jolly. 2013. A Demand Analysis for Crustaceans at the U.S. Retail Store Level. Journal of Aquaculture Economics and Management, 17(3):208-218.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zagmutt-Vergara, F.J., S.H. Sempier, and T.R. Hanson. 2013. Disease Spread Models to Estimate Highly Uncertain Emerging Diseases Losses for Animal Agriculture Insurance Policies: An Application to the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry. Risk Analysis, Article first published online: 5 APR 2013, DOI: 10.1111/risa.12038 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1539-6924/earlyview [last accessed: April 9, 3013].
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DAbramo, L.R., T.R. Hanson, S.K. Kingsbury, J.A. Steeby and C.S. Tucker. 2013. Production and Associated Economics of Fingerling-to-Stocker and Stocker-to-Growout Modular Phases for Farming Channel Catfish in Commercial-Size Ponds. North American Journal of Aquaculture 75:1, 133-146.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T.R., G. Nguyen and C. Jolly. 2013. Comparative Advantage of the US Farm-Raised Catfish Industry: A Cross-Regional Analysis. Journal of Aquacultural Economics and Management. 17:87-101.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rhodes, M.A., T.R. Hanson, S. Alavi and D.A. Davis. 2013. High-Soy, Fishmeal-Free Diets Support Florida Pompano Growth. Global Aquaculture Advocate. Sept./Oct., vol. 16, no. 5:100-103.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T., T. Samocha, T. Morris, B. Advent, V. Magalhaes and A. Braga. 2013. Economic Analyses Project Rising Returns for Intensive Biofloc Shrimp Systems. Global Aquaculture Advocate. July/August, vol. 16, no. 4:24-26.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Courtwright, C. and T. Hanson. 2013. Research Links Pond Production Practices to Yellow Coloration in Catfish Fillets. Global Aquaculture Advocate. May/June, vol. 16, no. 5:68-70.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T., T. Hanson, T. Morris, V. Magalhaes, B. Advent and A. Braga. 2013. Recent Results and Preliminary Economic Analysis of Super Intensive Studies, Without Renewal of Water, Dominated by Biofloc, with the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, at the Texas A&M Agrilife Mariculture Research Laboratory, located at Flour Bluff, Texas. Proceedings of the Brazilian Shrimp Association meeting Contributions for the Development of the Brazilian Shrimp Aquaculture Industry  2013, Natal-RN, Brazil, IX(2): June 68-76.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T. and J. Chappell. 2013. Catfish Farming  Commercial Aquaculture in Alabama, in Auburn Speaks: On Water, ed. B. Graeme Lockaby, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, pp,106-113.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T.R. and D. Sites. 2013. "2012 U.S. Catfish Database." Fisheries Department Series No.1, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn, AL, March. http://www.aces.edu/anr/fish/aquaculture/2012-u-s-catfish-database/ [Accessed April 4, 2013].
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bebak, J., B. Wagner, B. Burnes, and T. Hanson. 2013. Farm-Level Risk Factors for Aeromonas hydrophila Epidemics. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 84.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T., A. Braga, V. Magalhaes, T.C. Morris, B. Advent and T.M. Samocha. 2013. Economic Analysis of Two Feeds in Biofloc Dominated Super-Intensive Shrimp Production Systems for the Pacific White Shrimp, 2012. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 449.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., T.C. Morris, A. Braga, V. Magalhaes, R. Schveitzer, D. Krummenauer, E.S. Correia, J.S. Kim, J.J. Austin, J.K. Mishra, J. burger, B. Advent and T.R. Hanson. 2013. Shrimp Production in Greenhouse-Enclosed Super-Intensive Biofloc Systems at the Texas A&M Agrilife Research Mariculture Lab: 2003-2012. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 963.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Courtwright, C. and T.R. Hanson. 2013. Linking Pond Production Practices to Catfish Quality at the Processing Plant. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 216.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Avery, J., T. Hanson, and J. Steeby. 2013. Status of the U.S. Farm-raised Catfish Industry. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 63.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T.R., L. Roy, G. Whitis, L. Bott, and J. Chappell. 2013. Alabama Yield Verification Program  Hybrid and Channel Catfish Cost of Production. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 448.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Roy, L., G. Whitis, T. Hanson, L. Bott, and J. Chappell. 2013. The Use of a Yield Verification Program to Evaluate Production Methods on a Hybrid Catfish Farm that Uses Intensive Aeration (10 HP/acre) in West Alabama. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 946.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rhodes, M., R. Cook, Y. Zhou, D.A. Davis, J. Chappell and T. Hanson. 2013. Benefits of Using Soy Protein Concentrate in Feed Formulations Supplemented with Taurine for Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 914.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pickens, J., J.J. Danaher, J. Chappell, J. Sibley, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Nutrient Assimilation of Aquaponic Cucumbers and its Role in Economics and Aquaponic System Design. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 858.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J. Pickens, J. Sibley, J. Chappell, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Marigold and Petunia Growth Response to Filtrate Exiting a Geotextile Bag Dewatering Aquaculture Effluent. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 242.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J. Pickens, J. Chappell, J. Sibley, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Potential Benefits of Aquaculture Effluent. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 243.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J. Pickens, J. Sibley, J. Chappell, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Dewatered Aquaculture Effluent as Substrate Amendment for Tomato Transplant Production. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee, p. 244.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T.R. 2013. 2012 Progress Report to Alabama Catfish Producers  Pond to Plate Project, January 1 through December 31, 2012. Report to the Alabama Catfish Producers association, February.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Best Management Practices For West Alabama Catfish Production: Creating Profitability Through Efficiency, Consistency, and Quality.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J.M. Pickens, J.L. Sibley, J.A. Chappell, T.R. Hanson, and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Dewatered Aquaculture Effluent as Substrate Amendment for Tomato Transplant Production. Poster # 331, Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J.L. Sibley, J.A. Chappell, J.M. Pickens, T.R. Hanson, and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Growth of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Seedlings in Commercial Substrate Amended with Dewatered Aquaculture Effluent. American Society Horticultural Science, Orlando, FL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: McKee, C., T. Hanson, S. Sammons, and D. Hite. 2013. Economic Impact of Recreational Fishing at Lake Guntersville, Alabama. Presented at the 29th annual meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc., Meeting in the Mountains, Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL, March 6-8.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Snellings, P., T. Hanson, S. Sammons, and D. Hite. 2013. Assessing the Economic Impact of Tournament Angling at Lake Guntersville, Alabama. Presented at the 29th annual meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc., Meeting in the Mountains, Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL, March 6-8.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Roy, L., G. Whitis, T. Hanson, L. Bott, and J. Chappell. 2013. The Use of a Yield Verification Program to Evaluate Production Methods on a Hybrid Catfish Farm that Uses Intensive Aeration (10 HP/acre) in West Alabama. Presented at the 29th annual meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc., Meeting in the Mountains, Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL, March 6-8.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T., A. Braga, V. Magalhaes, T.C. Morris, B. Advent and T.M. Samocha. 2013. Economic Analysis of Two Feeds in Biofloc Dominated Super-Intensive Shrimp Production Systems for the Pacific White Shrimp, 2012. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., T.C. Morris, A. Braga, V. Magalhaes, R. Schveitzer, D. Krummenauer, E.S. Correia, J.S. Kim, J.J. Austin, J.K. Mishra, J. burger, B. Advent and T.R. Hanson. 2013. Shrimp Production in Greenhouse-Enclosed Super-Intensive Biofloc Systems at the Texas A&M Agrilife Research Mariculture Lab: 2003-2012. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Courtwright, C. and T.R. Hanson. 2013. Linking Pond Production Practices to Catfish Quality at the Processing Plant. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Avery, J., T. Hanson, and J. Steeby. 2013. Status of the U.S. Farm-raised Catfish Industry. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T.R., L. Roy, G. Whitis, L. Bott, and J. Chappell. 2013. Alabama Yield Verification Program  Hybrid and Channel Catfish Cost of Production. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rhodes, M., R. Cook, Y. Zhou, D.A. Davis, J. Chappell, and T. Hanson. 2013. Benefits of Using Soy Protein in Feed Formulations Supplemented with Taurine for Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus). Presented at the 29th annual meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc., Meeting in the Mountains, Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL, March 6-8.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Courtwright, C. and T. Hanson. 2013. Linking Pond Production Practices to Catfish Quality at the Processing Plant. Presented at the 29th annual meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc., Meeting in the Mountains, Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL, March 6-8.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bebak, J., B. Wagner, B. Burnes, and T. Hanson. 2013. Farm-Level Risk Factors for Aeromonas hydrophila Epidemics. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Roy, L., G. Whitis, T. Hanson, L. Bott, and J. Chappell. 2013. The Use of a Yield Verification Program to Evaluate Production Methods on a Hybrid Catfish Farm that Uses Intensive Aeration (10 HP/acre) in West Alabama. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rhodes, M., R. Cook, Y. Zhou, D.A. Davis, J. Chappell and T. Hanson. 2013. Benefits of Using Soy Protein Concentrate in Feed Formulations Supplemented with Taurine for Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pickens, J., J.J. Danaher, J. Chappell, J. Sibley, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Nutrient Assimilation of Aquaponic Cucumbers and its Role in Economics and Aquaponic System Design. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J. Pickens, J. Sibley, J. Chappell, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Marigold and Petunia Growth Response to Filtrate Exiting a Geotextile Bag Dewatering Aquaculture Effluent. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Danaher, J.J., J. Pickens, J. Chappell, J. Sibley, T. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2013. Potential Benefits of Aquaculture Effluent. Presented at the Aquaculture America 2013 meeting, February 21  25, Nashville, Tennessee.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The "Pond-to-Plate" project' is a broad umbrella project addressing the needs of the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries. Several studies and outreach efforts within the "Pond-to-Plate" project are funded. The project is multi-disciplinary in nature involving economics, business, production and marketing. Involvement of the private sector is the critical element that makes this project work. Individual and integrated research and extension efforts, such as the yield verification project, yellow/red fillet production-processing project, new technology introduction project, initiatives to coordinate responses to catfish disease/health management, and cost of production studies, were in full swing in 2012 and will continue in 2013. These efforts were developed with catfish industry representatives and represent their priority areas. Our goal is to assist the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries transform itself into a modern livestock industry. A second marine aquaculture project began in 2011 and will continue into 2013; this effort is funded by NOAA's Sea Grant Aquaculture project initiative and specifically involves evaluating the performance of pilot and commercial wastewater systems associated with inland production of high-valued marine fish. A third marine aquaculture effort involves determining the economics of substituting soybean for fish meal in marine fish diets. Success of this project will change the marine aquaculture industry as fish meal is scarce and expensive and soybean meal is more available and less expensive. Initial production trials raising Florida pompano at the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center were promising and will be further tested in 2013. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences in this project are catfish producers and processors located in West Alabama. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Pond-to-Plate efforts are addressing catfish industry priority concern areas. The goal is to assist the US and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries transform itself into a modern livestock industry through development of best management practices and standard operating procedures. Slowly this is being achieved as producers and processors begin to see results from trials located at their farms and interactions on their needs. In 2012 a cost of production model was completed that allows producers to use a weighted feed price calculated from the 24 months of the fish production cycle to obtain a more reliable cost of production they can use in their decision making process. A marine aquaculture effort involving calculation of the economics of substituting soybean for fish meal in marine fish diets was completed in 2012 and looks promising though more research is needed. Soybean supplemented with taurine was a successful replacement for fish meal. These results have the potential to change the marine aquaculture industry as fish meal is scarce and expensive and soybean meal is more available and less expensive.

Publications

  • Chidmi, B., T. Hanson and G. Nguyen. 2012. "Effect of Promotional Activities on Substitution Pattern and Market Share for Aquaculture Products." Journal of Food Distribution Research, 43(1), March.
  • Chidmi, B., T. Hanson and G. Nguyen. 2012." Substitutions Between US and Imported Fish and Seafood Products at the National Retail Level." Marine Resource Economics 27(4): 359-370.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. "Pond-to-Plate analysis of the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry." Bulletin of Fisheries Research Agency No. 35, Japan Fisheries Research Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, January.
  • Gallardo, K., D. Hudson and T. Hanson. 2012. "A Comparison of Choice Experiments and Actual Grocery Store Behavior: An Empirical application to Seafood Products. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 44,1(February 2012): 49-62.
  • Kuhn, D., T. Hanson, J. Tidwell and S. Coyle. 2012. "Developing and Validating protocols for Waterless Shipping of Live Shrimp. Presented at the 12th Annual Meeting US Freshwater Prawn Growers Association, November 30-December 1, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi.
  • Hanson, T. and G. Nguyen. 2012. "Supermarket Sales of Crawfish and Competing Crustacean Products. Presented at the 53rd Annual Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society-FDRS, San Juan, PR, Oct. 13-17, 2012.
  • Hanson, T.R. and D. Sites. 2012. 2011 U.S. Catfish Database. Mississippi State University, Department of Agricultural Economics, Information Report, 2012-01, March. http://www.aces.edu/dept/fisheries/aquaculture/catfish-database/catfi sh-2011.php.
  • Hanson, T.R. and G. V. Nguyen. 2012. Crawfish Market Overview for the Southeastern US. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of Aquaculture America 2012 meeting, February 29 to March 2, Las Vegas, Nevada, p. 220.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. Catfish Cost of Production Model. Presented at the ALFA/ACP Board Meeting, Montgomery, AL, October 2.
  • Jensen, J., J. Chappell, and T. Hanson. 2012. Aquaculture and Fisheries Business Institute. Presentation at the AAES Retreat, Aquatics Facility, September 28.
  • Hanson, T., D. Hite and D. Robinson. 2012. Tourism Demand Survey and Economic Impact Analysis. Presented as part of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Project A Unified Approach for Analyzing Socioeconomic Impacts from Meteorological, Technological, and Economic Shocks, Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Point, Mississippi, September 21, 2012.
  • Hanson, T.R., J.C. Chappell, C. Courtwright, Y. Wang, S. Liu, G. Whitis, and D. Cline. 2012. History, Vision, Goals, Work/Research/Extension, BP/SOP Development of the Pond to Plate Project. Presented at the Pathway to the Future for the US Catfish Industy Pond to Plate Meeting No. 9, Greensboro, AL, September 14.
  • Pickens, J., J. Sibley, W. Foshee, J. Chappell, T. Hanson and J. Danaher. 2012. "Integration of Aquaculture with Horticulture Crops." Presented at the International Plant Propagators Society Southern Region Meeting, October 14-17 2012, Auburn, Alabama.
  • Samocha, T.M., R. Schveitzer, D. Krummenauer, T.C. Morris, and T. Hanson. 2012. Progress and Economic Aspects of super-intensive greenhouse-enclosed raceway systems for production of food shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under no water exchange. Presented at the 9th International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture, August 24-26, Roanoke, VA.
  • Pickens, J.M., J.J. Danaher, J.A. Chappell, J.L. Sibley, T.R. Hanson, C.E. Boyd. 2012. Using Aquaculture Effluent for Media Based Aquaponic Production of Beit Alpha Cucumbers. Presented at the 9th International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture, August 24-26, Roanoke, VA.
  • Danaher, J.J., J.M. Pickens, J.L. Sibley, J.A. Chappell, T.R. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2012. Dewatered Aquaculture Effluent from an Intensive Recirculating Nile Tilapia Biofloc Production System as a Component of Horticultural Container Substrate: Effects on Petunia Growth. Presented at the Aquacultural Engineering Society Sixth Issues Forum; August 23, Roanoke, VA.
  • Pickens, J.M., J.J. Danaher, J.A. Chappell, T.R. Hanson, J.L. Sibley and C.E. Boyd. 2012. Aquaponics: A Horticulture Perspective. Presented at the Aquacultural Engineering Society Sixth Issues Forum; August 23, Roanoke, VA.
  • Hanson, T.R., D. Allen Davis, and J. Chappell. 2012. Benefits of Using High Soy Feed Formulations Supplemented with Taurine in US Marine Fish Feeds. Presented at the 2012 Global Soy in Aquaculture Stakeholders Meeting, U.S. Soybean Export Council, Kapaa, Hawaii, August 14-16.
  • Samocha, T.M., R. Schveitzer, D. Krummenauer, T.C. Morris, and T. Hanson. 2012. Progress and Economic Aspects of super-intensive greenhouse-enclosed raceway systems for production of food shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under no water exchange. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of the 9th International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture, August 24-26, Roanoke, VA.
  • Danaher, J.J., J.M. Pickens, J.L. Sibley, J.A. Chappell, T.R. Hanson and C.E. Boyd. 2012. Dewatered Aquaculture Effluent from an Intensive Recirculating Nile Tilapia Biofloc Production System as a Component of Horticultural Container Substrate: Effects on Petunia Growth. Abstract in Proceedings of the Aquacultural Engineering Societys Sixth Issues Forum; August 23, Roanoke, Virginia.
  • Pickens, J.M., J.J. Danaher, J.A. Chappell, J.L. Sibley, T.R. Hanson, C.E. Boyd. 2012. Using Aquaculture Effluent for Media Based Aquaponic Production of Beit Alpha Cucumbers. Abstract in Proceedings of the Aquacultural Engineering Society Sixth Issues Forum; 25 August 2012; Roanoke, Virginia.
  • Pickens, J.M., J.J. Danaher, J.A. Chappell, T.R. Hanson, J.L. Sibley and C.E. Boyd. 2012. Aquaponics: A Horticulture Perspective. Abstract in the Proceedings of the Aquaculture Engineering Society Sixth Issues Porum, August 23, Roanoke, Virginia.
  • Hanson, T.R. and J. Baker. 2012. The Economic Impact of the BP Oil Spill on Marine-Based Industries in Coastal Alabama. In Auburn Speaks: The Oil Spill of 2010. Auburn University.
  • Hanson, T.R. and Baker, J. L. 2012. Economic Impact of the 2010 Oil Spill on Coastal Alabama Marine-Based Industries. August 9, 2012, from Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Website: http://masgc.org/pdf/masgp/12-019.pdf
  • Walton, W.C., J.E. Davis, G.I. Chaplin, F.S. Rikard, T.R. Hanson and D.L. Swann. 2012. Off-Bottom Oyster Farming. Fisheries and Aquaculture Series Timely Update, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry 2012 Update. Fisheries Series Timely Information, Agriculture & Natural Resources, August. https://sites.aces.edu/group/timelyinfo/Documents/Hanson2012CatfishIn dustryUpdateAugust2012.pdf
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry 2011 Highlights. Fisheries Series Timely Information, Agriculture & Natural Resources, March. https://sites.aces.edu/group/timelyinfo/Documents/Hanson_2012%20Catfi sh_Industry_Highlights_%20March_2012.pdf
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. Aquaculture Budgeting and Economics. Presented for the Ghana and Nigeria Aquaculture Fellows, USDA/FAS/Cochran Program U.S. Aquaculture Training, E.W. Shell Fisheries Research Station, Auburn University, AL, August 23.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. Fish and Shrimp Marketing. Presented for the Ghana and Nigeria Aquaculture Fellows, USDA/FAS/Cochran Program U.S. Aquaculture Training, E.W. Shell Fisheries Research Station, Auburn University, AL, August 23.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. Where We Are, Competitor Prooduction and Where Do We Go From Here Presented at the West Alabama Catfish Producers Association (WACPA) meeting, Greensboro, AL, June 7, 2012.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. Catfish Industry Update. Presented at the ALFA/ACP Board Meeting, Montgomery, AL, April 24.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. 2012 Catfish Industry Economic Outlook. Alabama Farmers Federation Alabama Catfish Producers Commodity Organizational Meeting, Birmingham, AL, Feb. 7.
  • Baker, J. 2012. Economic Impact of the 2010 Oil Spill on Coastal Alabama Marine-based Industries. M.Ag. paper, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, May.
  • Hanson, T.R. and J.C. Chappell, 2012. 2012 Catfish Industry Update Meeting. Demopolis Convention Center, Demopolis, Alabama, December 12.
  • Hanson, T.R. and J.C. Chappell. 2012. Pathway to the Future for the US Catfish Industy. AU Fisheries Department Pond To Plate Project (Meeting No. 9), Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, AL, September 14.
  • Hanson, T.R. and J.C. Chappell. 2012. Future of the Catfish Industry. AU Fisheries Department Industry Discussion Meeting #2, Demopolis Convention Center, Demopolis, AL, September 5.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2012. The Catfish Crisis Where Do We Go from Here and How Do We Get There. US Armory, Greensboro, AL, June 7, 2012.


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The "Pond-to-Plate" project' is a broad umbrella project addressing the needs of the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries. Several studies and outreach efforts within the "Pond-to-Plate" project are funded. The project is multi-disciplinary in nature involving economics, business, production and marketing. Involvement of the private sector is the critical element that makes this project work. Individual and integrated research and extension efforts, such as the yield verification project, yellow/red fillet production-processing project, new technology introduction project, and initiatives to coordinate responses to catfish disease/health management, were in full swing in 2011 and will continue in 2012. These efforts were developed after several meetings with catfish industry representatives indicated these were the priority areas. Our goal is to assist the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries transform itself into a modern livestock industry. A second marine aquaculture project began in 2011 and will continue into 2012; this effort is funded by NOAA's Sea Grant Aquaculture project initiative and specifically involves evaluating the performance of pilot and commercial wastewater systems associated with inland production of high-valued marine fish. A third marine aquaculture effort involves determining the economics of substituting soybean for fish meal in marine fish diets. Success of this project will change the marine aquaculture industry as fish meal is scarce and expensive and soybean meal is more available and less expensive. Initial production trials raising Florida pompano at the Claude Peteet Mariculture Centerction were promising and economic results and will be further tested in 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences in this project are catfish producers and processors located in West Alabama. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Pond-to-Plate efforts are addressing catfish industry priority areas. Our goal is to assist the U.S. and Alabama farm-raised catfish industries transform itself into a modern livestock industry through development of best management practices and standard operating procedures. Slowly this is being achieved as producers and processors are begin to see results from trials located at their farms and interactions on their needs. In 2011 a project investigating the economics of developing hatchery technologies for offshore aquaculture, land-based systems and stock enhancement for the Gulf of Mexico was completed. The impact of this project was the resulting ability to calculate the cost of producing marine Florida Pompano species from egg hatch to 26 days post hatch at three marine laboratories. A third marine aquaculture effort involving calculation of the economics of substituting soybean for fish meal in marine fish diets was completed in 2011. Soybean supplemented with taurine was a successful replacement for fish meal. These results have the potential to change the marine aquaculture industry as fish meal is scarce and expensive and soybean meal is more available and less expensive.

Publications

  • Sookying, D., F. Soller, D. Silva, D.A. Davis and T.R. Hanson. 2011. Effects of stocking density on the performance of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultured under pond and outdoor tank conditions using a high soybean meal diet. Aquaculture: An International Journal, Vol. 319, Issues 1-2, September, pp.232-239.
  • Engle, C., M. Dey, R. Sexton, M. Cook, T. Hanson, and S. Dasgupta. 2011. Potential Marketing Structures for the Catfish Industry Annual Report for the project entitled Potential Marketing Structures for the Catfish Industry funded by the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Stoneville, MS, October 1.
  • Main, K.L., G.J. Holt, F. Jaenike and T.R. Hanson. 2011. Developing Hatchery Technology for Offshore Aquaculture, Land-Based Systems and Stock Enhancement in the Gulf of Mexico: Building a new industry in economical depressed coastal areas. Final report NOAA Award Number: NA080AR4170846, March 2008 to July 2011. Submitted to NOAA OAR National Sea Grant College Program. Mote Technical Report # 1557, August 29.
  • Samocha, T.M., E.S. Correia, T.C. Morris, B. Advent, T.R. Hanson, J.S. Wilkenfeld and N.D. Huysman. 2011. Super-Intensive Biofloc-Dominated Zero Exchange Shrimp Production Systems for the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Opportunities and Challenges. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of the World Aquaculture Society 2011 meeting, June 6 - 10, Natal, Brazil, p. 998.
  • Hanson, T.R. and P. Rose. 2011. College Student Opinions of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. Journal of Food Distribution Research. Vol. XLII, No. 1, March: 67-71.
  • Rhodes, M., W. Rossi, Jr., T. Hanson and D. Allen Davis. 2011. Taurine: Critical Supplement for Marine Fish Feed. Global Aquaculture Advocate. Nov/Dec, vol. 14, no. 6: 34-35.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2011. U.S. Catfish Industry Review and 2011 Outlook. Fisheries Departmental Series No. 4, Alabama Agric. Exp. Station, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. http://www.aaes.auburn.edu/comm/pubs/fisheries/fish_4.pdf [last accessed May 6, 2011].
  • Hanson, T.R. 2011. U.S. Catfish Industry Review and 2011 Outlook. The Catfish Journal, April.
  • Hanson, T.R. and D. Sites. 2011. 2010 Catfish Database. Mississippi State University, Department of Agricultural Economics, Information Report, 2011-01, March. http://www.aces.edu/dept/fisheries/aquaculture/catfish-database/catfi sh-2010.php [Accessed March 25, 2011].
  • Pickens, J., J. Chappell, J. Sibley and T.R. Hanson. 2011. Integration of Intensive Aquaculture and Plant Production in a Temperate Climate. Abstract for the Alabama Fisheries Association annual meeting, Mobile, AL Feb. 2-4.
  • Regan, R.M. 2011. Bio-economic Factors Affecting Feasibility of Floating in-Pond Raceway Systems: A Stella Modeling Approach. M.S. Thesis, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, August.
  • Hanson, T.R., J.C. Chappell, J. Jensen, D. Rouse, and J. Terhune. 2011. Pond to Plate Project: A Partnership to Advance the US Catfish Industry. Poster presented at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society-FDRS, Portland, OR, Oct 15-19, 2011.
  • Hanson, T.R., J.C. Chappell, J. Jensen, D. Rouse, and J. Terhune. 2011. Pond-to-Plate Project: A Partnership to Advance the US Catfish Industry. Poster presented at the 2011 National Aquaculture Extension Conference, Memphis, TN, June 5-7.
  • Chidmi, B., T. Hanson and G. Nguyen. 2011. Effect of Promotional Activities on Substitution Pattern and Market Share for Aquaculture Products. Presented at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society-FDRS, Portland, OR, Oct. 15-19, 2011.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2011. Pond to Plate Project. Presented at the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Fall Seminar Series, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, September 2.
  • Roy, L.A., T.R. Hanson, G.N. Whitis, and J. Chappell. 2011. Yield Verification of Recommended Management Practices for the Alabama Catfish Industry. Presented at the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Fall Seminar Series, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, September 2.
  • Hanson, T.R., D. Allen Davis, and J. Chappell. 2011. Potential Economic Benefits of Taurine Use for Inclusion in Aquafeeds in the US. Presented at the 2011 Aquaculture Utilization Stakeholders Meeting, United Soybean Board, Kona, Hawaii, August 26, 2011.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2011. Aquaculture Critical Control Point Implementation for Quality Catfish Assurance. Presented at the 2011 Aquaculture Utilization Stakeholders Meeting United Soybean Board, Kona, Hawaii, August 26, 2011.
  • Hanson, T.R., J. Jensen and J.C. Chappell. 2011. Adding Pond to Plate Value Using LEAN Manufacturing. Presented at the 2011 National Aquaculture Extension Conference, Memphis, TN, June 5-7.
  • Hanson, T., B. Chidmi and G. Nguyen. 2011. Substitutions Between US and Imported Aquaculture Products. Presented at the North American Association of Fishery Economist NAAFE Forum 2011 The Economics of Conflict and Co-existence in an Increasingly Crowded Ocean. Honolulu, Hawaii, May 11-13.
  • Hanson, T. and G. Nguyen. 2011. Comparative Advantage of the U.S. Catfish Aquaculture Sector. Presented at the North American Association of Fishery Economist NAAFE Forum 2011 The Economics of Conflict and Coexistence in an Increasingly Crowded Ocean. Honolulu, Hawaii, May 11-13.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2011. US Catfish Industry Update. Invited presentation for the Catfish Farmers of America annual meeting, February 17-19, Mobile, Alabama.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2011. Pond to Plate: Re-setting the Catfish Industry. Presented at the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc. annual meeting, Mobile, AL Feb. 2-4.
  • Pickens, J., J. Chappell, J. Sibley and T.R. Hanson. 2011. Integration of Intensive Aquaculture and Plant Production in a Temperate Climate. Presented at the Alabama Fisheries Association, Inc. annual meeting, Mobile, AL Feb. 2-4.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A "pond-to-plate" approach to improving US catfish industry economics and competition with substitute products was initiated. Meetings with industry participants from each industry level, that is from producing, harvesting, hauling, processing, wholesaling, retailing, and consuming levels were conducted to characterize the industry. Issues hindering efficiency and product quality were identified and prioritized for further research. A consensus was reached that the US catfish industry needs to modernize itself at all levels. This effort needs to begin with production economics that can be achieved through improved efficiencies and development of best management practices (BMP) and standard operating procedures (SOP) to produce a standardized product that consumers will demand. One method initiated to achieve these results is a yield verification project. Secondly, new aquaculture technology introductions were begun in 2010. The two technologies introduced were hybrid catfish grader seine panels and in-pond raceway systems (IPRS). Both are pathways to resetting the US catfish industry onto a more profitable, competitive and sustainable future. IPRS concepts, economics and designs were introduced at several farmer meetings and data for efficiency and economic analysis was collected from existing IPRS systems. Catfish fillet quality investigations focused on yellow fillets, a condition that hinders fresh fillet sales at grocery outlets. Data was collected toward the goal of identifying pond production management with yellow fillet coloration in processed fillets. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences in this project are catfish producers and processors located in West Alabama. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Involving catfish producers, harvesters, haulers, processors, middlemen and retailers in several workshops was successful in characterizing the US catfish industry and identifying priority issues that hinder profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of the industry. The equivalent of forty hours of such meetings allowed each participant level to better understand other level's issues. Meetings were led by LEAN manufacturing experts, and as third party participants not knowing the US catfish industry they were able to ask questions of participants to identify the root causes of the significant issues facing the industry. Involvement by catfish industry participants in identifying issues and developing solutions combined with the deteriorating economic conditions in the US catfish industry has led to a sense of urgency, empowerment and leadership toward growing the industry through innovation. Already we are seeing processors use "rapid improvement events" to identify areas needing improvement and developing incentives to improve efficiencies, lower costs and improve product quality and consistency. Producers are beginning to explore new technologies, such as improved seining equipment for the newly introduced hybrid catfish. Another new technology that is gaining momentum is the in-pond raceway system (IPRS) that uses existing pond infrastructure combined with new, more controllable raceways placed into the ponds. Currently, the industry is facing a fish shortage that has increased the pond bank price for fish and will allow producers to have a window of profitability in which they can explore new investments toward modernizing their facilities and improving production efficiencies. However, it is our research objective to continue the research that links the "pond to plate" levels of the industry to assure product quality, safety and consistency as this is the only way catfish product consumption will increase over time.

Publications

  • Jolly, C., C. Ligeon and T.R. Hanson. 2010. Research Prioritization and Ranking Exercise. Presented at the Pond to Plate Project Workshop, Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, AL, April 1.
  • Cline, D. and T.R. Hanson. 2010. Update on Pond to Plate Projects Yellow Fillet Work. Presented at the Pond to Plate Project Workshop, Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, AL, April 1.
  • Jensen, J. and T.R. Hanson. 2010. Addressing Code Blue in the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry. Presented at the 2010 Annual Convention of the Catfish Farmers of America, Charleston, SC, March 1.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Catfish Industry Economic Outlook. Alabama Catfish Producers Commodity Organizational Meeting, Birmingham, Alabama, February 2.
  • Jensen, J. and T.R. Hanson. 2010. Alabama Catfish Industry Update. Harvest Select Catfish Processing Company annual meeting, Atmore, AL, January 16.
  • Silverstein, J., T. Hanson and B. Bosworth. 2010. Chapter 11. The Catfish (Family: Ictaluridae). Book chapter in: Finfish Aquaculture Diversification, N. Le Francois, M. Jobling, C. Carter and P. Blier (Editors). CABI: Oxfordshire, UK. Pp. 216-233.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Pond-to-Plate Analysis of the US Farm-Raised Catfish Industry. Presented at The Present and Future of the Aquaculture Industry, 39th Scientific Symposium of the United States - Japan Natural Resource Panel on Aquaculture, Kagoshima University, October 25-26, Kagoshima, Japan.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Investigation into Auburn University Student Attitudes and Consumption of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. Presented at the 2010 Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society Consumer Issues Facing the Food Industry: With a Focus on Seafood and Aquaculture Products. Sandestin, Florida, October 16-20.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. The US Farm-Raised Catfish Brand. Presented at the Power of Effectively Developing and Managing Your Brand session of the World Aquaculture Society 2010 meeting, March 1-5, San Diego, CA, USA.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. How to Price Your Products. Presented at the Aquaculture 101 session of the World Aquaculture Society 2010 meeting, March 1-5, San Diego, CA, USA.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Pond-to-Plate Project. Presented at the United Soybean Board Aquaculture Industry Coalition Meeting, March 4, San Diego, CA, USA.
  • Hanson, T.R. and D. Sites. 2010. 2009 Catfish Database. Mississippi State University, Department of Agricultural Economics, Information Report, 2010-01, March. http://www.aces.edu/dept/fisheries/aquaculture/catfish-database/catfi sh-2009.php
  • Brown T.W., J.A. Chappell and T.R. Hanson. 2010. Commercial Production of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Hybrid Catfish Ictalurus punctatus x Ictalurus furcatus Utilizing an In-Pond Raceway System in West Alabama. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of the World Aquaculture Society 2010 meeting, March 1-5, San Diego, CA, USA: p. 142.
  • McLemore, R.K., T.R. Hanson, J. Stoeckel and J. Chappell. 2010. STELLA Modeling to Assess Economic Feasibility of Floating In-Pond Raceway Systems for Sunshine Bass Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilus. Abstract printed in the Book of Abstracts of the World Aquaculture Society 2010 meeting, March 1-5, San Diego, CA, USA: p. 665.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Financial Management on Catfish Farms to Improve Efficiencies and Profitability. Presented at the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Catfish Farmers Intensive Training, Greensboro, AL, November 9th and 10th.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Aquaculture Critical Control Points. Presented at the U.S. Soybean Export Councils Global Soy in Aquaculture Stakeholders Meeting, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada, August 31, 2010.
  • Hanson, T.R., C. Jolly and C. Ligeon. 2010. Catfish Producer Priorities. Presented at the Pond-to-Plate Workshop, Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, AL, July 20.
  • Hanson T.R. 2010. Auburn Student Catfish Awareness Study Results. Presented at the Pond-to-Plate Workshop, Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, AL, July 20.
  • Chappell, J.C. and T.R. Hanson. 2010. In-Pond Raceway System Economics. In-Pond Raceway System Group Meeting, Alabama Catfish Feed Mill, Uniontown, AL, July 13.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. In-Pond Raceway System Two Cell Economics. Presented at the In-Situ Field Day, Butch Wilsons Farm, Uniontown, AL, June 9.
  • Hanson, T.R. 2010. Catfish Industry Update April 2010. Presented at the Pond-to-Plate Project Workshop, Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, AL, April 1.