Mississippi ranks #1 in the United States for farm raised-catfish production, producing more than 65 percent of the nation’s farm raised catfish. In 2021, Mississippi had 205 catfish operations covering 35,100 water acres.
What percent of America’s catfish comes from Mississippi?
He raises catfish in earthen ponds, where he feeds them a floating grain-based diet to produce a mild-flavored, high-protein Southern delicacy enjoyed throughout the United States. Mississippi farmers today raise 58% of U.S.-grown catfish.
How much catfish comes from Mississippi?
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Mississippi catfish producers had 78.1 million foodsize fish on January 1, 2022, down 13 percent from a year ago. The number of large foodsize inventory on hand totaled 1.30 million fish, down 7 percent from January 1, 2021.
What state produces most catfish?
Mississippi
Mississippi leads the country in catfish production. Agriculture continues to be Mississippi’s top industry for revenue generated in the Magnolia State.
What are the leading states in catfish farming?
Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Texas are home to 95 percent of all US acreage devoted to catfish production.
Why is Mississippi known for catfish?
The land is remarkably flat, with elevations of 100 to 150 feet above sea level. Most catfish ponds in the region are constructed on soils with a high clay content. Water for filling catfish ponds is pumped from the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer.
What is Mississippi’s main industry?
Agriculture
Agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry, employing approximately 17.4% of the state’s workforce either directly or indirectly. Agriculture in Mississippi is a 8.33 billion-dollar industry. There are approximately 34,700 farms in the state covering 10.4 million acres.
Where is the catfish capital of the world?
In 1975, Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards declared Lac des Allemands the Catfish Capital of the World, and in 1980, the Louisiana legislature named the lake the Catfish Capital of the Universe.
What is Mississippi’s main crop?
Cotton is the state’s most valuable crop, and Mississippi typically ranks as one of the top cotton-producing states. The second most valuable crop is soybeans. Other major crops include rice, hay, wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, and pecans.
Why is there a catfish shortage?
In 2021, the US farm-raised catfish industry had major issues with rising catfish feed prices, scarcity of premium-sized (1 to 4 pounds) live fish, and lack of available labor in processing plants and on farms.
What state is famous for catfish?
Most of the US’s catfish is farmed in Mississippi, and the bulk of the farms and processors are here in the Mississippi delta.
What state is best for catfish?
Alabama tops the list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados. In recent years, waters like Wheeler, Wilson and Pickwick lakes on the Tennessee River have become world renowned for producing huge blue cats, including several exceeding 100 pounds.
Where is the best catfishing in the US?
Best Catfish Lakes
- Lake of the Ozarks, MO.
- Lake Caddo, TX.
- Toledo Bend Reservoir, TX.
- Logan Martin, AL.
- Lake Conroe, TX.
- Lake Mendota, WI.
- Clear Lake, CA.
- Lake Marion (Santee Cooper Lakes), SC.
Who is the biggest farmer in Mississippi?
Forty years ago Ted Parker borrowed $5,000 to rent forty acres in Oloh, Mississippi. He now spends his days operating six farms in six different locations in six counties in the piney country of south Mississippi.
What animal industry has the largest economic impact on Mississippi?
The poultry industry is the largest income-producing agricultural commodity in Mississippi and has been for the past 21 years.
Where does commercial catfish come from?
Today, however, over 96 percent of the US catfish industry is located in Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi – with Mississippi accounting for over half of the harvests and acreage. In the early years, single-batch stocking and complete harvesting was the norm.
What is Mississippi known for?
Mississippi is known for being the birthplace of American blues music and home to many talented musicians. It is also famous for its fertile soil, which makes it an agricultural powerhouse, as well as for its catfish farming industry.
How big are catfish in the Mississippi river?
Blue catfish are one of the biggest fish in the Mississippi River and can grow to be 130lbs. If you thought a 90lb catfish was big, wait until you see a blue catfish. Blue catfish actually have a blueish tint with a white belly. They can get to be 5 feet long and weigh up to 131lbs!
How old is a catfish fry?
The standard size fingerlings are about 3-4 weeks old and are about 3 to 4 cm in length.
Where does Mississippi rank in catfish production in the United States?
Mississippi ranks first in U.S. catfish production with $232 million in annual production value across 34,000 acres. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Southern Regional Aquaculture Center funded the research in response to requests from aquaculture producers in the region.
What are the top 5 industries in Mississippi?
Mississippi produces more than half of the country’s farm-raised catfish, and it is also a top producer of sweet potatoes, cotton and pulpwood. Other main state industries include advanced manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities, and education and health services.