USSEC continues to promote quality feeds with U.S. soy inclusion for Asian seabass, a marine fish species with potential for large-scale production in the future
The USSEC marine fish offshore cage aquaculture program has guided the Indonesian central government and private commercial aquaculture sectors in the development of large scale and sustainable marine aquaculture farming. This has allowed fish farmers to produce more marine seafoods and has fostered the development of quality and efficient feed that contain U.S. Soy.
USSEC conducted a demonstration project at an offshore cage farm near the island of Bali, Indonesia using Asian sea bass. The feeds, containing U.S. Soy, were formulated by USSEC and the project helped to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating U.S. soybean meal in Asian seabass diets to the cooperating farmer and feedmill. The demonstration ran for about six months and the farmer expressed great satisfaction with the diets as growth rate nearly doubled compared to previous production; survival improved as well. As a result, marine aquaculture farmers in Bali have asked the feedmill to produce more feeds with U.S. soy inclusion for their farming operations.
“The USSEC formulated feeds have improved the growth and survival of demo fishes and could compete (with) considerably more expensive feeds. Now neighboring farmers have asked for similar feeds,” says Ketut Bagus Irawan, farm manager.
USSEC continues to promote quality and efficient feeds with U.S. soybean meal inclusion for farmed fish. Demand and preference of U.S. soymeal must be built on a strong foundation (i.e. through better formulation with U.S. Soy inclusion to build/create farmer’s leverage). Farmers have a strong position in the Indonesia feed market.
U.S. soybean meal uptake in Indonesia is very slow due to price sensitivity because feedmills believe there is no significant difference of soy amongst different origins. USSEC has competitive advantages on the technical support program to convince feedmills and farmers on the superior quality of U.S. Soy in terms of balanced formulation/nutrition and superior amino acid digestibility. Successful demonstration projects could largely change the perception of feedmills and farmers on U.S. soy products.