ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2024 29 “Producing high-quality feed ‘at any cost’ is not viable. Efficient diet production, minimal raw resource use, and maintaining throughput are priorities due to high feed ingredient prices and energy costs. Reducing process loss and managing energy utilization are essential for meeting efficiency, productivity, and sustainability goals.” The physical quality of aquafeed significantly impacts the efficiency, productivity and environmental impact of aquaculture operations, especially in intensively farmed fish and shellfish systems. Poor quality feed is one of the most pressing and addressable issues affecting profitability in the sector. Fish are among the most efficient food animals to produce, with an average feed conversion rate (FCR) of 1.1. As naturally efficient feed converters, every gram of feed is crucial, making the optimization of feed conversion essential for sustainable and profitable operations. As a result, producers implement strategies to: 1. Managing Pellet Integrity Feed Fines Feed fines are rarely consumed by farmed fish and shellfish. These fines lead to: • Reduced nutrient contribution to productivity. • Negative impacts on water quality. • Increased levels of nitrogenous compounds, suspended solids, and dissolved solids. 2. Optimize Aquafeed Performance Characteristics Aquafeed is formulated for both nutrition and buoyancy. Key performance characteristics crucial to optimal feed utilization include: • Stability • Ability to float • Sink rate 3. Balance Quality and Cost Producing high-quality feed "at any cost" is not viable. Efficient diet production, minimal raw resource use, and maintaining throughput are priorities due to high feed ingredient prices and energy costs. Reducing process loss and managing energy utilization are essential for meeting efficiency, productivity, and sustainability goals. 4. Support Aquaculture Environment Feed that retains moisture produces better quality pellets with fewer fines, positively impacting the aquaculture environment by reducing waste and improving water quality. EFFECTIVE STRATEGY PROMOTES FEED QUALITY AND PROFITABILITY Significant improvements have been made by aquafeed producers, when it comes to Pellet DuJose Ramirez Technical Director (Americas) Anitox ENHANCING AQUAFEED QUALITY: Key to Boosting Efficiency, Profitability, and Sustainability in Aquaculture
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