2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To evaluate important production traits of experimental catfish lines in a commercial catfish production environment. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) An experimental line and a control line (a pooled sample of channel catfish collected from commercial catfish hatcheries) will be stocked in separate but paired ponds of similar size and dimension, at equal density. Feed production data, for each pond, will be collected and analyzed. Information obtained will be used in making decisions related to catfish germplasm development and release. 3.Progress Report This reports documents research conducted under a Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Terry Nichols Enterprises. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in-house project 6402-31000-008-00D, “Catfish Genetics, Breeding, and Physiology.” The purpose of this agreement is to establish a mechanism to evaluate catfish lines for important production traits in a commercial catfish production environment. Four commercial ponds were stocked at 7,000 catfish fingerlings per acre – 2 ponds were stocked with an experimental line and 2 ponds were stocked with a control line (a pooled sample of channel catfish collected from commercial catfish hatcheries). Data is being collected on amount of feed being fed to each pond and at the termination of the study data on fish growth, production, feed conversion, and survival will be collected. The PI has been in communication with the Co-PI who reported fish feeding activity and survival have been good at the time this report was written. Information derived from this project will be used to evaluate potential performance of experimental catfish lines under commercial production conditions. This project was monitored through telephone conversation with the cooperator.