USSEC recently provided technical assistance to two feed mills that manufacture feed for fish and/or shrimp and also observed operations at farms for mountain trout and tilapia in Costa Rica.  Consultant Mark Newman visited a feed mill of a large international company.  This company makes salmon feeds using U.S. soybean meal in a number of different countries, including Denmark and Chile.  Mr. Newman provided assistance on the nutrient requirements of marine shrimp, extrusion principles and equipment used in aquaculture feed production.  At the second feed mill, he provided assistance on using alternative antioxidants in aqua feeds, quality characteristics of fishmeal and how to replace fishmeal and fish oil with soy products.

Mr. Newman also visited a large aquaculture farm which exports fresh tilapia fillets to the United States where he conducted an on-site seminar.  He discussed the use of immune stimulants in tilapia farming; the characteristics of broodstock diets for tilapia; and alternative feed ingredients such as soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, and soy lecithin that can be used in tilapia diets.  Finally, Mr. Newman visited a mountain trout farm where he provided assistance on water quality, dissolved oxygen, pH, density of fish, and techniques for feeding fish.