| [Image: Fred Heinen] |
| [Image: John Sonnier] |
| [Image: fresh caught crawfish] |
Whether you like them fried, boiled or in a stew, crawfish are a Louisiana favorite. And for the next few months, crawfish can be found on dinner tables and in backyard boils across the state.
The crawfish season has been a little slower this year, according to LSU AgCenter experts, but the crawfish are out there.
Ray McClain, LSU AgCenter crawfish researcher at the Rice Research Station in Crowley, La., said without flooding prior to November or heavy fall rains, the harvest of young crawfish gets delayed. Without timely rains, many crawfish remain in their burrows, he said, noting it wasn’t until November of 2008 that the Crowley area received a good soaking rain.
"Colder-than-normal temperatures this winter may have prevented crawfish from growing normally," McClain said.
Historically, most of the crawfish from ponds are harvested during March, April and May, according to Greg Lutz, extension crawfish specialist at the Aquaculture Research Station in Baton Rouge, La.
"The 2008 summer was extremely dry in some areas. And generally when we see that, it means we're going to see low survival down in the ground," Lutz said.
Crawfish are commonly grown in rotation with rice. The typical rotation involves the planting of rice in the spring. After the permanent flood for rice, usually in June, crawfish are stocked into the pond at a rate of 50-60 pounds per acre. In August, the pond is drained, and the rice is harvested shortly afterward. The field is typically re-flooded in October. Crawfish harvesting can begin in January or February and run through May or June.
Producers often harvest crawfish into June or July and leave the field fallow until the following rice planting season.
Market size of crawfish is typically a result of crawfish density in ponds. Lower densities usually lead to larger crawfish and smaller crawfish is usually a result of higher density. While larger crawfish are typically desired by many consumers, often the smaller crawfish will yield a higher portion of eatable meat.
LSU AgCenter research has focused on the production and harvest of crawfish and environmental concerns related to production such as water quality in crawfish ponds and effluent issues. A rice variety, Ecrevisse, was developed by the AgCenter specifically to help the profitability of rice/crawfish rotation systems.
"Nearly two-thirds of the cost of crawfish production are associated with harvest," Lutz said.
The Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board funds research that investigates numerous aspects of the crawfish industry. Projects have included crawfish survival rates in summer and winter burrows, the effects of stocking on yields and bait preferences of crawfish in cold water, development of a cost-efficient crawfish broodstock enhancement protocol, development and evaluation of an inventory method for assessing crawfish population in rice/crawfish rotational ponds, and a study of the relationship between rainfall patterns and crawfish production.
"Our goal is the highest yield at the lowest cost to the producer," Lutz said.
Listen to a 60-second radio spot on lowering harvest costs.
Crawfish Facts
- There are 32 recognized species of crawfish in Louisiana, but only two are considered economically important—red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish. The red swamp crawfish comprises more than 80 percent of the industry catch.
- A female crawfish will typically have 300 eggs, but depending on size, she can have a range of 100-700 eggs.
- Crawfish have been used as a commercial food source since the early 1800s. It was not until the 1950s that the first experimental crawfish ponds were established.
- A select or No. 1 grade crawfish will weigh approximately one ounce.
- Louisiana produces approximately 90 percent of the nation’s crawfish, with 70 percent of that being consumed locally.
- When the catch is good, traps will contain 1-1.5 pounds of crawfish. In some extreme conditions, producers have caught upwards of 6 pounds per trap.
- In 2008, the live crawfish catch contributed more than $125 million to the Louisiana economy. This amount includes $117 million from ponds and $8.5 million from the wild.
The LSU AgCenter is a member of the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing rural areas and the environment, and improving the quality of life through its family and 4-H youth programs.
(This AgCenter Lead was updated by Linda Benedict on March 11, 2009.)