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.
Technical Director (Americas)
Anitox
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 Durability Index (PDI), reducing fines and achieving feed stability with cost-effective formulations. Despite challenges with variations in raw material moisture content, steam quality, and throughput pressures, effective milling efficiency aids have supported these accomplishments without slowing down production mills.
The moisture content of aquafeed and its ingredients varies and is often altered during the milling process. Reintroducing moisture into feed is challenging due to water’s high surface tension, resulting in poor absorption and water flashing off during extrusion and cooling or remaining free.
Uneven or incomplete water absorption leads to low pellet quality, nutrient segregation, and spoilage. High moisture content reduces throughput, increases energy consumption, causes spoilage, and produces dense, brittle pellets. Low moisture content reduces yields, increases fines, necessitates nutrient over-formulation, and creates easily broken pellets. Optimal moisture can reduce mill energy consumption, minimize material loss, extend equipment life and improve throughput.
Milling efficiency aids, such as Maxi-Mil, give aquafeed producers the ability to harness the power of moisture optimization. Optimal moisture inclusion, penetration and retention in aquafeed formulations allow for:
• Efficient use of expensive ingredients.
• Production of higher quality feed.
• Significant savings in inventory loss and energy consumption.
Maxi-Mil has been instrumental in optimizing moisture distribution within compound aquafeed formulations, enhancing ingredient binding and gelatinization. This optimization helps producers balance throughput, process loss, and feed quality effectively.
Several commercial trials have highlighted the benefits of Maxi-Mil:
• Salmon Feed Trial: Using Maxi-Mil at 1% inclusion resulted in 3.5% less steam and 5.92% less energy consumption while improving product stability and moisture retention by almost 1.0%. This led to reduced process loss and energy requirements per ton of feed.
• Integrated Producer Trial: Inclusion of Maxi-Mil reduced energy consumption by over 6%, increased moisture retention by more than 1.0%, and improved feed quality with nearly 5% fewer fines.
• Tilapia, Shrimp, and Catfish Diets: Trials showed a 7.49% reduction in average mill energy consumption, with moisture and throughput increased by 0.63% and 12.82%, respectively.
Average results from each of these Maxi-Mil trials can be seen in Figures 1-3. Every mill is different, as is demonstrated by the commercial trial results below, however, Maxi-Mil gives aquafeed producers the power to balance throughput, energy consumption and feed moisture objectives.
Maxi-Mil is formulated with organic acids, terpenes, and surfactants, each playing a role in moisture optimization. Surfactants lower water surface tension, ensuring even dispersion and better absorption in feed formulations. Improved moisture retention facilitates better lubrication, optimizing throughput and aiding in the pelleting and extruding processes.
Anitox partners with leading food producers to develop innovative programs that produce safer food efficiently. Our clean feed experts work globally to help producers maximize throughput, reduce energy use, and optimize feed form for profitable production.
Producers ready to implement effective management of physical aquafeed form or seeking more information about how Maxi-Mil helps aquafeed producers meet their productivity and quality goals can get more information on our website.
About Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez has over 35 years of experience in the feed, poultry and swine industries. Following his completion of a degree in agricultural science from the University of Puerto Rico, he went on to further his education with an MBA in Technology Management. As Technical Services Manager for the Americas, Ramirez aids producers in understanding feed as a fomite and works alongside leading producers to implement effective feed-source pathogen mitigation and milling efficiency strategies.
