Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Senior Thai Official to Open Strongly Technical Conference

Dr. Juadee Pongmaneerat, senior expert in fishery product and inspection, Thai Department of Fisheries, to open strongly technical aquafeed conference

Cultivated marine shrimp have been an important source of protein in Thailand for many years and the country has been an exporter since 1991.

In 2005 and 2006 total production of marine shrimp was about 380,000 tons and 410,000 tons respectively, and in 2007, that figure is expected to reach over 500,000 tons. However, the Thailand has not escaped the devastating disease outbreaks suffered in shrimp farms world wide: WSSV, TSV and IHHNV have taken their toll.

This and the uncertainty of healthy brood stock supply, has seen the country make a dramatic shift from black tiger shrimp (P.Monodon) to the white shrimp (P. vannamei) , which today accounts for 95-98 per cent of production.
Other major aquacultured species in Thailand are sea bass, grouper, green muscle, blood clam, oyster, tilapia, catfish and giant fresh water prawn. There are 155 registered aquafeed mills in the country including premixed, supplemental feed, concentrate feed and complete feed.

Dr. Juadee Pongmaneerat, senior expert in fishery product and inspection, Department of Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand will open the Aquafeed Horizons Asia Conference with an update of the country’s aquaculture and aquafeed status and explain the steps the Department of Fisheries has established to develop a strategy and policy for sustainable aquaculture and to enhance the safety and quality of aquatic food.

The conference will have a strong technical emphasis. Delegates will discover the very latest innovations in feed additives, such as pheromone attractants and palatability enhancers. Ingredients to add to the aquafeed formulator’s arsenal will be presented - from krill to insects, and novel feed supplements and neutraceuticals to promote performance and health in farmed fish and shrimp.

Many of these new ingredients will have an impact on the processing and this will be examined as part of the afternoon session, which will be devoted to practical processing issues.

Can you use an extruder to make shrimp feeds?
Current technology and the advantages of this method of production will be reviewed in a talk that will cover all aspects of this process from the raw materials through to drying and cooling before packaging. Final product quality aspects will also be presented.

Starter feed production will be reviewed in another talk and the day will finish with a discussion of upstream processing to improve process efficiencies. It will explore work done on early pre-hydration and the effect on improved production rates, the hydration being either/and combinations of grain tempering and last minute addition of water to ground powders before going into the storage bin that feeds the extruder. This talk will also discuss high speed continuous mixer/choppers to hydrate and add other liquids before the conditioner, and the theory that supports these technologies.

Ways of misting steam and water into existing conditioners and the beneficial effect of these: the presentation will be an overview of techniques that are available to improve product quality through homogenous mixing and heating and to improve production rates and reduce machine wear.

As an end to the day, delegates will be able to sit back and enjoy a presentation on the very latest in contained aquaculture productions systems and the development of entoprotein – an alternative protein source from insects, about to be commercialized.

To register for Aquafeed Horizons Asia 2008, visit www.aquafeed.info.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Aquafeed Horizons Asia announces hotel deals and joint registration with feed ingredient conference

Delegates to Aquafeed Horizons Asia 2008, which will take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, March 6, 2008, can now register jointly for the Feed Ingredients & Additives Asia Pacific (FIAAP) Conference. This related conference will take place at the same venue on the previous day.

"We know that many people will be interested in both conferences and it makes sense to register for both at once", Suzi Fraser Dominy, president of Aquafeed.com and both meetings, commented. "Combined registration will cut down the paper work for delegates ad save them money".

The FIAAP Conference program is close to being finalized and includes a number of presentations of direct relevance to the aquafeed community. In particular:
Natural Ingredients – Product Opportunities and Process Issues - Colin Mair, Cormal Technology Ltd., U.K.

Amino acid content in fishmeal shows high variation - Torben Gosvig Madsen, Regional Technical Service Manager, Degussa (SEA) Pte. Ltd.

A comparison of digestible protein and amino acids content and value of terrestrial animal protein meals for aquafeeds - Dr. Yu Yu, National Renderers Association, Inc.,

A healthy gut for optimal performance through target release concepts in animal diets - Koen Schwarzer, NUTRI-AD International N.V.

Bacterial Contamination Of Feed And Feed Ingredients – Importance Of Control For Food Safety And Animal Performance - Dr Adam Smith, Anitox Ltd, Earls Barton, Northants, NN6 OHJ, United Kingdom

Mycotoxins in animal nutrition - problems and solutions - Mathieu Cortyl, Impextraco NV, Singapore Representative Office.

Aqafeed Horizons sia and FAAP are beng held in association with Victam Asia 2008 and delegates will be ble to visit both shows freeof charge. Special hotel rates have been announced and you can find these on the conferences' websitebelow:

FIAAP Conference: www.feedconferencescom

Aquafeed Horizons Asia: www.aquafeed.info

Monday, August 20, 2007

Technical Advancements in Extruded Shrimp Feeds

Wenger Mfg., Inc., Kansas, USA
Email: jkearns@wenger.com

This presentation will cover the current possible technology used in production of shrimp feeds via extrusion and the advantages of this method of production.

The review will cover all aspects of this process from the raw materials through to drying and cooling before packaging.

The final product quality aspects of shrimp feeds via extrusion compared to other processing methods will also be presented.

Starter Aqua Feed Technology

Will Henry, Extru-Tech, Inc., Kansas, USA
Email: extru-techinc@extru-techinc.com

a. Size Comparison
b. Poor Pellet Construction
c. Preferred Pellet Construction

2. Mixing Considerations
a. Dedication
b. Grinding/Pulverising
c. Sifitng (Pre & Post Production)

3. Starter Diet Production
a. Pellet & Crumble
1. Overview
2. Pros and Cons
b. Direct Extrusion
1. Overview
2. Pros and Cons
c. Spheronise & Agglomerate
1. Overview
2. Pros and Cons

4. Vitamin Survival
a. Vitamin Uses
b. Vitamin Survival
c. Comparison

5. Flexibility

6. Research Results
a. FCR
b. Uniformity
c. Water Quality / Waste Management
d. Survival Rates

7. Q&A

Ingredient Trends and the Effects on the Extrusion Process

Galen J. Rokey, Manager, Wenger Mfg., Inc., Kansas, USA
Email: grokey@wenger.com
I. Benefits of proper particle size in raw materials
a. Product appearance
b. Reduction of blocked die orifice
c. Ease of cooking
d. Increase in throughputs

II. Protein constituents in recipe
a. Functional versus non-functional sources
b. Impact of high levels of vegetable proteins

III. Starch components of the recipe
a. Starch functionality
b. Recommended starch levels

IV. Effects of fat in the diet
a. Internal versus external fat addition
b. Impact of fat levels on the product technical properties
c. Proper analysis methods for fat levels

V. Role of minor ingredients
a. Vitamins and pigments
b. Humectants and other preservatives
c. Rework

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Beyond Pre-Conditioning – Reducing Carbon Footprint and Increasing Quality

Colin Mair, Cormal Technology Ltd., U.K.
Email : colinmair@btinternet.com

The presentation will be on upstream processing to improve process efficiencies.

It will explore work done on early pre-hydration and the effect on improved production rates, the hydration being either/and combinations of grain tempering and last minute addition of water to ground powders before going into the storage bin that feeds the extruder.

Also there will be discussion of high speed continuous mixer/choppers to hydrate and add other liquids before the conditioner, and the theory that supports these technologies.

Also ways of misting steam and water into existing conditioners and the beneficial effect of these. Also the effect of pre-heating conditioning water.

The presentation will be an overview of techniques that are available to improve product quality through homogenous mixing and heating and to improve production rates and reduce machine wear.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

The (South Antarctic) Krill Industry - How far can krill derivatives become a real feed ingredient substitute? - A Brief Industry Overview

Dimitri Sclabos, General Manager, Tharos Ltd. E-mail : dimitri@sclabos.com - dimitrisclabos@tharos.biz

Much has been said about South Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba, Dana) species products, specifically meals and oils, becoming sustainable, competitively priced aquafeed ingredient replacements for brown fishmeal and fish oils.

Undoubtedly krill meals and oils have unsurpassed nutritional qualities that aquafeeds can and should profit from. Nonetheless, feed manufacturers should count on them as one-more feed component alternative rather than being an entire substitute option.

There are three relevant aspects of this fishery that will preclude South Antarctic Krill derivatives from becoming stable, price-competitive feed ingredients; processing and logistic complexities, owner/processors’ options of alternative higher value-added routes and environmental and regulatory aspects.

Processing complexities abound, no matter how simple it may be seen to process “just another pelagic” species, South Antarctic Krill has not proved to be another “typical pelagic species”. Logistic aspects are also difficult to work with, in relation to the area where it is captured and processed as well as the costs involved for this operation.

For key fishing operators (owners), although feed-grade krill meals and oils are relevant end-product targets, there are also other krill derivatives that may add much more value to the at-sea operation, for example pharma-grade krill oils (phospholipids-rich), food-grade whole frozen krill and white tablecloth food-grade meats.

Environmental and regulatory aspects will and need to be seriously addressed in order to prevent the South Antarctic Krill face the same detrimental fishing effort seen on other species if it wants to become a sustainable and environmental-friendly resource option. The major over fishing risk relies on the South Antarctic Krill species’ being key resource for the entire South Antarctic trophic feed-chain.

For more information and to register for Aquafeed Horizons Asia, visit http://www.aquafeed.info/

Palatability Improvement in Shrimp Feed

Dr Vincent FOURNIER, R&D Manager AQUATIV. Email: vfournier@aquativ-diana.com

To contend with the palatability problems that have arisen as a result of fishmeal replacement in aquafeed, Aquativ has been developing and selling natural attractants for more than four years. Excellent feed intake and growth improvement have already been obtained in laboratory and with aquafeed producers in various species such as european seabass, atlantic salmon, yellowtail.

Some recent trials were conducted in shrimp (penaeus vannamei) in well known testing facilities: the objective was to demonstrate if a good level of palatability could be reached using natural attractants in shrimp diets containing low levels of fish meal.

Growth and preference trials were conducted. Several PE were added to feed formula containing low fish meal levels (LFM), and compared with formula containing a high level of fish meal (HFM) without PE. Shrimps were fed to satiety by feeding trays for 70 and 15 days in growth and preference trials, respectively.

No significant difference was observed between HFM and LFM diet showing that scarce raw materials like fish meal could be successfully replaced with more available plant based raw material when using natural attractants.

For more information and to register for Aquafeed Horizons Asia, visit www.aquafeed.info

The Development Of Novel Feeding Attractants For Sustainable Aquaculture

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road,Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom. Email: andy.moore@cefas.co.uk

Since 2001 the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) has been developing a range of novel feeding attractants to support the development of sustainable aquaculture. The attractants, which are nature identical chemosensory stimulants have been shown in a series of laboratory tank trials to increase feeding activity in a range of fish species.

The feeding attractants, which are in the form of a liquid-formulation are added to the water prior to the addition of the feed. The feeding attractants developed for European cod, (Gadus morhua) tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and a penaeid shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) have been tested under commercial conditions in hatcheries and production facilities in Norway, China and Thailand.

Initial data from the feeding trials indicate that the application of the feeding attractants resulted in a significant increase in growth of all three species. The results of the studies are also discussed in relation to the application of the feeding attractants for use with reduced fish protein based commercial feeds.

For more information and to register for Aquafeed Horizons Asia, visit http://www.aquafeed.info/

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Provisional Program now available

The provisional program for Aquafeed Horizons Asia technical workshop has been announced.

CHAIRMEN:
· Dr. Dean Akiyama, Senior VP Aquafeed Technology, Charoen Pokphand Indonesia
· Dr. Warren Dominy, Director, Aquatic Feed & Nutrition Department, Oceanic Institute, Hawaii

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
· Dr. Juadee Pongmaneerat, Department of Fisheries, Thailand
· Dr. Andrew Moore, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, U.K.
· Dr. Peter Coutteau, Inve, Belgium
· Dimitri Sclabos, Sclabos Consulting, Chile
· Galen Rokey, Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., USA
· Joe Kearns, Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., USA
· Will Henry, Extru-Tech, Inc., USA
· Dr. Vincent Fournier, Aquativ, France

TOPICS INCLUDE:
· Aquafeed and aquaculture production and policies in Thailand
· Pheromone-based feeding attractants for sustainable aquaculture
· Promoting animal health through feed
· Improving palatability in shrimp feeds
· Starter diet production technology
· Ingredient trends and effects on extrusion process
· Technical advances in extruded shrimp feeds
· Krill as a feed source for aquaculture

Download the brochure and see registration details on the conference website: www.aquafeed.info.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT & CALL FOR PAPERS

Aquafeed.com will run a one day Symposium during Victam Asia 2008, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

“Aquafeed Horizons Asia 2008” will present the latest advances in aquaculture feed formulation and production technology and explore the trends and direction in which the industry is headed.

The workshop will be extensively publicized by Victam, Aquafeed.com, direct mail, associations and the trade press. Held every other year, Victam Asia is the premier event for the feed industries in Southeast Asia. You can view information on Victam Asia 2008 here: http://www.victam.com/asia.php

If you would like to participate as a presenter at this conference, please indicate your interest as soon as possible.

Submissions are sought in the following categories:

Feed Processing Technology:
Latest concepts in feed processing and new equipment for the production of aquatic feeds for hatchery and cage culture;

Feed Formulation and ingredients: New ingredients, formulation concepts and applied nutritional science for hatchery and growout of aquatic species appropriate to the region;

Markets and Trends: Status and overviews of world and Asian aquafeed markets, emerging species, farming technologies, market drivers.

PLEASE NOTE
Papers will be selected on their relative value to the commercial aquafeed industry and at the sole discretion of the organizers.

Technical presentations must be narrowly focused and impart a high level of technical expertise: broad, superficial papers will not be accepted.

Presentations must not be sales orientated - although your brochures etc. may be made available to delegates at the meeting.

Presentations must be tailored to the needs of the commercial aquafeed industry.

Presenters will be required to make available the full text of their presentations, abstracts, biographies and other written material in the format required and by the given deadlines.

Presenters who do not submit their presentations on time may be dropped from the program.
Presenters will be responsible for their own expenses.

Please submit an outline only. Outline Format: No longer than a single page in Word (12pt Times New Roman, single spaced). Your name, affiliation and email address must appear at the top of the page.

The Symposium will be organized to encourage as much interaction between participants as possible. With this in mind, the number of presentations will be strictly limited. Please therefore indicate your interest without delay.

Submit your abstract by mail to: editor@aquafeed.com.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Friday June 29, 2007