February 15-18, 2009 Washington State Convention Center Seattle ...

ALTERNATIVE USES FOR RETIRED CATFISH ACREAGE IN MISSISSIPPI
Jimmy L. Avery and Craig S. Tucker
National Warmwater Aquaculture Center
Mississippi State University
Stoneville, MS 38776 USA
javery@drec.msstate.edu
Mississippi’s commercial catfish acreage has been in decline since its peak of 113,500 acres in 2001. This decline has recently
become acute with acreage decreasing from 96,000 acres in 2006 to 80,400 acres in 2008. This unprecedented loss in acreage
is a result of low fish prices due to increased import pressure coupled with rising costs of energy and grain-based feeds. The
2008 Farm Bill tasked the USDA Farm Services Agency to increase the amount of catfish acreage eligible for enrollment in the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This presentation will describe current alternative uses for commercial catfish ponds
and an estimate of potential CRP participation in Mississippi.
Currently, retired catfish acreage is either being left fallow, used to produce other agricultural commodities, or developed
into hunting operations. Fallow ponds remain flooded or are dried and disked to prevent vegetation growth. The soils in pond
bottoms contain only slightly higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter than the same soils (alligator/sharkey
clays) used for row-crop agriculture. Record prices for corn, soybeans, and rice have provided farmers incentive to plant these
traditional row crops in pond bottoms. A significant percentage of retired catfish ponds has been developed into personal hunting
opportunities or have been sold for the development of duck hunting operations.
Catfish ponds being converted to CRP acreage will require modification prior to vegetative planting. After draining, the existing
drainage structure will need to replaced or modified to facilitate lower water levels. Excessive vegetation will need to be
controlled by chemical application or disking. Earthen ramps for equipment access to the pond bottom will have to be constructed.
Although, it is difficult to characterize all pond situations, estimated preparation costs prior to planting could be $125
to $200 per acre.
If the proposed CRP program proves to be economically attractive, ponds that have been left fallow, have low commodity
yields, or were being used for personal hunting opportunities are likely to be enrolled. It is doubtful whether acreage that has
had significant investment in conversion to crop land or developing waterfowl habitat will be enrolled in the program. Some
catfish farmers may decide to enroll active acreage that is difficult to farm due to a remote location, poor site conditions, or high
bird predation. Of the 33,100 acres that have been retired in Mississippi since 2001, it is estimated that 13,000 to 15,000 acres
have potential to be enrollment. An additional 5,000 to 7,000 acres of active ponds may also be enrolled.
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