All About Catfish Farming
It has been said that catfish farming is the best way to make catfish appropriate for eating. In fact, many nutritionists and dietitians formed this opinion because catfish are considered bottom feeders, so they are viewed as unhealthy to consume. However, if catfish are raised on a farm and can feed freely rather than with food filled with antibiotics, they are a much healthier choice.
Raising Catfish
Raising catfish can be challenging, simply because most fish come under stress when they aren’t in their natural environment. So, for those who wish to try raising them they have to find an economical way to do so without causing financial problems for themselves in other areas. Long hours of research are usually the best way to start, so that you know what you are getting into before you begin the process. Catfish are a huge part of our agriculture, and it’s no wonder that many want to learn more about how to farm them. To get the best catfish, restaurants are usually in fact looking for the catfish that are farm raise, rather than directly from the water. So, taking measures to raise healthy catfish that can be delivered to restaurants and grocery stores can yield good profits for those who partake of catfish farming.
Risks and Other Factors of Farming Catfish
Catfish farming can be a financial risk because catfish are living, breathing creatures. Poor filtration and other unsavory conditions can be harmful to your catfish, so monitoring your catfish is extremely important. Monitoring must be done vigilantly, especially when the weather isn’t good. Anything from temperature changes and even poachers can ruin your catfish. There is the potential for the catfish to be taken during the night when you least expect it. Be careful of this, and where you keep your catfish at.
Where you plan to keep your catfish farm can also play a role in how your farming venture turns out. Consider how the land is set up, and the climate that you will be living in; don’t make a hasty decision when planning out your catfish farm. When considering where you would like to put your farm, stay away from areas that have records of floods, as this can certainly affect the quality of your water. There are several areas in Kentucky that are readily available for what is now called “aquaculture”. Western Kentucky has been the favored part of this state so far for those who wish to raise catfish. However, those who have chosen this area have still been limited by time, money and other resources. Due to the economic crisis most of these people have not been able to quit their day job to do catfish farming full time. Because of their love for, and their interest in aquaculture, it keeps them going day after day to keep and maintain their farms as long as they can. For those who are unable to handle high volume, or intense channel farming for their catfish, a small pond will do just fine. These types of smaller farms can usually survive on the rain and well water if that is needed too. Those who go this route can easily start their farm with a pond that is at least 0.25 acres to 2 acres is okay for the smaller batch.
Smaller scale production of catfish is usually much more sustainable than a large scale batch. These smaller batches are easier for all involved, but for the farmer it means lower production costs. So long as these production prices stay low, the Kentucky farms are able to provide their residents with quality food at low prices.
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