A study determined the yields obtained and the production practices followed by Louisiana commercial catfish farmers in Catahoula, Concordia, and Franklin Parishes. This information was used by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (LCES) faculty to develop a catfish education program. The study: (1) determined use of selected recommended catfish production practices and relationship with yield; (2) studied the relationships between yield and production practices with certain personal and farming characteristics and extension contacts; and (3) identified problems experienced by catfish farmers. From the 100 commercial catfish producers in the three-parish area who marketed catfish in the 1988 season, a proportional stratified random sample of 51 was drawn. Data were collected by personal interview. A production practices score was developed for each farmer based on whether or not the 14 recommended production practices were being followed. The practices were grouped under six major production categories: stocking; feeding; water quality management; disease; harvesting; and records. None of the relationships were statistically significant. It was recommended that extension education programs for catfish farmers should focus on major problems experienced by farmers including bird predation, off-flavor in fish, marketing, fish diseases, and financing. Educational activities should be continued as a part of the LCES information delivery system. (Three tables and five references are included.) (NLA)