Posted on January, 20, 2025 at 06:14 pm
Inclusion of 20% distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in rainbow trout diets yielded the most favorable impact on fish weight and growth while reducing feed costs, according to a recent study sponsored by the US Grains Council (USGC).
In the study, conducted at Aydin Adnan Menderes University in Turkey, compared DDGS to soybean meal and other common feed ingredients. The findings were published in Aquaculture Research magazine.
“Turkey is a major center for aquaculture, and we anticipate increased demand for US DDGS both there and in other markets in the region,” said Ana Maria Ballesteros, USGC deputy regional director for the EMEA office, which facilitated the study. “With aquaculture research institutions recognizing the nutritional benefits of DDGS and its potential to lower aquafeed costs, aquafeed producers can confidently incorporate it as a standard ingredient in trout diets.”
The 60-day trial evaluated various performance parameters of fish fed with diets containing DDGS at inclusion levels of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The results clearly indicated that incorporating DDGS enhanced fish weight and improved digestion compared to standard diets, without any adverse effects on fish health or coloration. The 20% inclusion rate was identified as the optimal balance between performance enhancement and cost-effectiveness.
“As aquaculture plays an increasingly crucial role in sustainably feeding the world’s growing population, the demand for efficient feed solutions will continue to rise,” Ballesteros said. “This study’s demonstration of DDGS as an effective fish feed ingredient creates new market opportunities for US producers and offers consumers the prospect of higher-quality fish at lower input costs.”
USGC sponsored a second feeding trial at ADU in late 2024, focused on the application of corn-fermented proteins (CFPs) in seabass diets. The final report is being prepared for submission to relevant research publications in the coming months.
Source: World Grain