Tilapia (genus Oreochromis), a staple in global aquaculture, is susceptible to various diseases, which can significantly impact farm yield and profitability. This study compares the performance and economic viability of a vaccinated batch with Tilavac S3 (Virbac) versus an unvaccinated control batch of Red Tilapia cultured in a cage system in a river Thailand. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of vaccination in improving key performance indicators and overall farm economics.
The study spanned in 2022 and both batches used the same feed and were sourced from the same supplier. Initial stocking rates and sizes were nearly identical for both groups. The vaccinated batch comprised 3,302 fish with a total stocking weight of 117.91 kg, while the control batch had 3,304 fish with a total stocking weight of 117.99 kg. The vaccinated batch also incurred a vaccination cost of 3,427 THB. At the end of the culture period, the performance of each batch was recorded, and a production cost analysis was conducted.
The vaccinated batch demonstrated superior performance in all key metrics. It achieved a survival rate of 95%, which was significantly higher than the 81% survival rate of the control group. The vaccinated fish also had a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.55 compared to the control group’s 1.71. Consequently, the vaccinated batch had a higher total harvested weight of 3,752.40 kg, yielding a profit of 42,481 THB. In contrast, the control batch’s total harvested weight was 2,945.60 kg, resulting in a much lower profit of 15,230 THB.
The results indicate that vaccination with Tilavac S3 significantly enhances survival rate, FCR, and total yield, leading to a substantial increase in profit.