soybean field

USSEC Conducts Fish RAPCO Course in Mexico

USSEC Regional Director - Americas Region Francisco de la Torre and USSEC consultants Belinda Pignotti and Jairo Amezquita conducted the Regional Animal Production Course (RAPCO) for fish production in Hacienda del Carmen near Guadalajara, Mexico.  This event was attended by a team of soybean product users from Peru, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.  The course was presented by aquaculture experts from the U.S. and Latin America.  Major topics covered included the diverse aspects of fresh water and marine fish production; aquafeed formulation and nutrition; the uses of soy products in aquafeed production; pelleting and extrusion processes in aquafeed production; fish health; and bioflock management, among others.  USSEC consultants also conducted a Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) exercise with event participants.

Participants found the course to be both interesting and useful; many of them expect to implement changes and improvements in their processes and operations.  The implementation of the new aquaculture technologies learned during the course will improve the quality of their products and production processes, as well as production costs of their aquaculture operations.  The aquafeed mills represented in this RAPCO course produce more than 400,000 metric tons (MT) per year of fish feed that represents a potential of usage of more than 150,000 MT yearly of U.S. soybean meal and U.S. soy products.

Participants of the Fish RAPCO Course in Hacienda del Carmen, Mexico.
Participants of the Fish RAPCO Course in Hacienda del Carmen, Mexico.