2024 expected to be very difficult for Louisiana crawfish farmers
1/24/2024 12:00:00 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
Society & Public Health
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Louisiana
Assumption Parish, LA
Iberville Parish, LA
Saint Martin Parish, LA
Start Date: 1/1/2024
- End Date: 12/31/2024
This could be one of the roughest years for crawfish farmers, according to a crawfish aquaculture and coastal resources specialist for the LSU AgCenter, after drought and heat reduced the crawfish population.
"I don’t see the catch picking anytime soon, especially considering the freezing temperatures in January,” he said. “Some farmers still have not put out traps, mainly because test traps show no sign of crawfish.”
The spring crop is expected to be a fraction of the usual catch. In addition, production costs like that for pumping costs to flood the field and keep it flooded were higher, as much as three to four times higher. The cost of labor, bait and supplies means that the upcoming crop will be difficult to accomplish. Early estimates indicate that crawfish might sell for up to $13 per pound.
More than 45,000 acres of crawfish habitat could not be flooded for lack of water or due to water supplies being too salty. No crawfish will be harvested from another 45,000 acres that was flooded but will not yield any crawfish.
Plaquemine Post South (La.), Jan 24, 2024
Sources
