Aquaculture is a fast-developing industry and soy products are a logical source of feedstuffs for it.
Purdue University researchers are developing diets for new aquaculture species and increasing the use of soy in the diets of established species.
The researchers have formulated rainbow trout diets containing up to 40% solvent-extracted soybean meal, and striped bass and yellow perch diets with 40-45% meal.
Given an increased emphasis on fish in the human diet and a growing world population, there is a shortfall in world fish and shellfish supplies. Projections from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization indicate the need for up to 123 million metric tons (mmt) of new fish and shellfish production capacity within the next 35 years.
That compares to a current global soybean production of 137 mmt.
(Paul Brown, Purdue University)