Many of the costs associated with producing crawfish have already been covered by the rice operation.Īny aquaculture venture should be approached cautiously. Table 2 shows that farmers who are producing rice are in the best position to start crawfish production. Prices required to cover direct expenses should be used to construct a cash flow statement or to estimate out-of pocket expenses. Established farmers considering diversifying into crawfish should use the Prices required to cover total specified costs. To evaluate the feasibility of beginning a crawfish operation if you are not already farming, use the ÒPrices required to cover total specified costs and general farm overhead. Table 2 shows break-even selling prices required to recover costs for four alternative yield levels. Although projected costs for the rice-crawfish double crop are considerably more than for the cultivated forage pond, an additional income of $405 per acre can be realized from the rice crop. The average annual interest rate on the investment in the pond, well, and specialized equipment was assumed to be 6.4 percent. Fixed costs were based on a 120-acre production unit consisting of six 20-acre ponds. Cost estimates are presented on a Òper acreÓ basis so they can be applied to different size operations. Costs have been adjusted to reflect 1998 values. The survey collected information on production, harvesting, and marketing practices. These costs are based primarily on a 1990 survey of 39 commercial crawfish producers, with supplemental information from researchers and Extension personnel. Table 1 itemizes projected costs for cultivated forage ponds and rice-crawfish double crops. In rice-crawfish double cropping rice stubble supplies the detrital food chain and the harvest of rice provides a second income source each year. For details on these production practices see SRAC publications 241 and 242.Ĭultivated forage ponds are constructed and managed solely for crawfish production planted forages supply the detrital food on which crawfish feed.
An economic analysis of crawfish production should be based on sound production cost estimates and realistic income projections.Ĭrawfish are cultured in a variety of ways, but most commonly in cultivated forage ponds or in double-crop rotation systems with rice or soybeans.
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