Comparison of Production, Meat Yield, and Meat Quality Traits of NWAC103 Line Channel Catfish, Norris Line Channel Catfish, and Female Channel Catfish × Male Blue Catfish F1 Hybrids

—NWAC103 line channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Norris line channel catfish, and Norris line female channel catfish 3 Dycus Farm line male blue catfish I. furcatus F1 hybrids were compared for production, meat yield, and meat quality traits. Juvenile fish from each genetic group were stocked at 12,000 fish/ha into three, 0.04-ha ponds per genetic group. Fish were fed once daily to satiation from June through October, and fed on days when afternoon water temperatures were above 178C from November through December. Fish were harvested, weighed, and counted in January, and 150 fish per genetic group (50 fish per pond) were processed and measured for meat and body component yield. Instrumental and sensory panel evaluations of quality were measured on fresh, frozen-thawed, and baked fillets. Stocking weight, harvest weight, and net production (kg/ha) were highest for the NWAC103 line channel catfish, intermediate for the hybrid, and lowest for the Norris line channel catfish. Growth at unit size (a), percent weight gain, survival, and feed conversion were not significantly different among genetic groups. Carcass yield (relative to whole weight) and fillet yield were higher for the hybrid than for the two channel catfish lines, and higher for females than for males in all genetic groups. Head yield and total viscera yield were higher for the channel catfish lines than the hybrid. Head yield was higher for males than for females, and total viscera yield was higher for females than for males. Visceral fat yield was higher for the hybrid than for the two channel catfish lines. Instrumental and sensory panel analysis indicated only minor differences among genetic groups for fillet quality. Thus, catfish producers and processors can improve important traits and increase profits by utilizing catfish lines with superior performance. Production traits (growth, feed conversion, and survival) and processing traits (meat yield and quality) are economically important traits of farmraised catfish, and improving these traits will benefit the catfish farming industry. Genetic improvement programs have resulted in substantial improvements in production and processing traits in other meat animal species, and similar improvements could be achieved in farm-raised catfish. Evaluation, identification, and use of superior germplasm from existing genetic resources could allow rapid improvements in the production and processing traits of farm-raised catfish. Part of the mission of the USDA–ARS Catfish Genetics Research Unit is to produce genetically superior germplasm for release to the catfish farming in* Corresponding author: bbosworth@ars.usda.gov Received August 13, 2003; accepted January 14, 2004 dustry. The NWAC103 line of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (a line of catfish developed jointly between the USDA–ARS and Mississippi State University) is being compared with other genetic groups of catfish having potential commercial use. The objective of this study was to compare the NWAC103 line channel catfish, Norris line channel catfish (a line of fish currently being used by some commercial producers), and Norris line female channel catfish 3 Dycus Farm line male blue catfish I. furcatus F1 hybrids for production, meat yield, and meat quality traits.