For More InformationFor more information, contact U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services, Attention: NAHMS NRRC Building B, Mail Stop 2E7 2150 Centre Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 Phone: (970) 494-7000 E-mail: NAHMS@aphis.usda.govOr visit NAHMS on the Web at http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov

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ConfidentialityBecause NAHMS’ studies rely on voluntary participation, APHIS protects the privacy of every participant. Only those collecting the data know the identity of the respondent. No name or address is ever recorded in any APHIS database. No data will be reported on any individual or in a manner that would allow an individual to be identified. 

“The NAMHS catfish survey information provides the only "snapshot" of industry-wide culture practices that I know. Furthermore, I contend the conduct of the survey and report printing is the only dedicated information source that can tell the catfish industry where their management and metrics have been and where they are heading. Having two prior surveys, this third survey will allow us to know where the trends seen in the first two surveys are going. When doing economic analysis of catfish enterprises I often refer to the NAHMS catfish reports for knowledge on industry production practices.”  --Terrill Hanson, Auburn University

What Your Participation InvolvesBetween January 1 and February 14, 2010, 700 producers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi will be contacted by representatives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). If you choose to participate in Catfish 2010, these representatives will (at your convenience) visit your operation to conduct a study questionnaire consisting of four parts: broodstock management and breeding, hatchery management, fingerling production, and foodsize fish production. You will be asked to complete only the sections of the questionnaire that relate to your operation. How Catfish Producers Benefit■ Information from previous studies has been used to assist in guiding research, to provide baseline information for economic analyses, and to guide producer educational efforts. The information from the last study was used to benefit producers by 

□ Helping attain clearance for use of copper 

 sulfate in hatcheries 

□ Helping get Federal assistance after 

 hurricanes Katrina and Rita.■ Several reports and information sheets will be provided to you, which will allow you to compare your operation with others in the industry. 
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The Catfish 2010 StudyIn January 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) will launch its third national study of the catfish industry, Catfish 2010. Producers from four States with the Nation’s largest catfish inventory —Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi—will be asked to voluntarily participate in Catfish 2010. Catfish 2010 is being conducted at the request of the catfish industry. To identify the most important issues facing the industry today, ideas were generated at a series of three focus group meetings held in January 2009. These focus groups were attended by producers, extension personnel, university researchers, and employees from other State and Federal agencies. The focus group input was used to develop the Catfish 2010 questionnaire. Many of these same individuals provided valuable input into the questionnaire writing and review. 

A Scientific ApproachAPHIS established NAHMS to collect and report accurate and valuable information on animal health and management in the United States. Since 1990, NAHMS has developed national estimates on disease prevalence and other factors related to a number of industries in addition to the catfish industry including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, equids, poultry, sheep, and most recently goats. 

“Data gathered during the Catfish 2010 study will provide valuable information to help enhance the health and productivity of our industry. This study will also allow us to compare current information with that collected during the Catfish 2003 study, thereby identifying important trends. I strongly encourage all catfish producers to participate.” 

--Roger Barlow, Executive Vice President Catfish Farmers of America