Aphis Study

APHIS Study of U.S. Catfish Industry

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), part of USDA:APHIS: Veterinary Services, currently is in the planning stages for a study of the U.S. catfish industry. This voluntary study, which is the second catfish NAHMS study, will be conducted in 2003. The objectives and the reports from the first study are available at our website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cahm/Aquaculture/aqua.htm or you can contact me directly for a hard copy version. The purpose of the study is to fill information needs concerning health issues and management practices in the U.S. catfish industry. To effectively meet the needs of the catfish industry and its allied groups, we are seeking input to assist in developing the specific objectives for the 2003 study.

A major reason for the success of the first study was the amount of input that we received from a variety of people during all phases of the project. The success of the second study similarly depends on participation from a wide range of people. We would appreciate any ideas/suggestions/opportunities that you may be aware of as we undertake this study.

Specifically, we would be interested in, but not restricted to, learning about issues related to disease/health (vaccination, treatment, diagnostic resources), fingerling management, stocker management and food size fish management in the catfish industry. Other areas might include pond management/water quality and off-flavor.

The first study was conducted as a personal interview. Studies of other commodities by NAHMS (beef cow/calf, beef feedlot, dairy, swine, sheep, equine, and layers) have included both personal interviews and biologically sampling/testing (feed, blood, feces etc.). There is potential in this second study to conduct an on-farm component where biological samples could be collected. We would appreciate hearing about any issues that could be appropriately addressed through a biological sampling approach.

Please feel free to contact me, Bruce Wagner, at (970) 490-7816 or email at Bruce.A.Wagner@aphis.usda.gov mailto:Bruce.A.Wagner@aphis.usda.gov any comments or ideas that you might have about the catfish 2003 study.