In a groundbreaking study, scientists are evaluating the potential of the protein product Artemeal as a sustainable alternative to fishmeal for young broilers.
Innovative Research on Fishmeal Alternatives
Led by Innovate UK in collaboration with industry professionals, this research focuses on identifying a marine-based source that can enhance gut health and growth performance in poultry chicken diets. By focusing on Artemeal, a type of marine zooplankton, the study aims to provide a long-term solution to the ongoing marine protein ingredients crisis while contributing to reduced carbon emissions in food production.
Collaboration and Research Partners
The project exemplifies a collaborative effort involving Aquanzo, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Practices
Fishmeal is widely regarded as one of the most nutrient-dense feed options for young land animals like chicks, as well as various aquaculture species. However, its harvesting leaves a significant environmental footprint, marked by extensive greenhouse gas emissions from transport and a reliance on strained marine ecosystems facing climate challenges.
With the demand for poultry feed rising sharply over recent decades, the quantity of marine ingredients harvested has stagnated, leading to price surges and driving fishmeal out of many poultry feed formulations.
Aquaculture’s Sustainable Approach
In response to these challenges, Aquanzo is pioneering a method to cultivate artemia—marine zooplankton—on land, presenting a sustainable alternative to the traditional harvesting of fishmeal. This process integrates agricultural byproducts as feedstock to enhance artemia production.
Future Solutions in Animal Feed
The farming of artemia stands to transform the animal feed sector by preserving the nutritional benefits of fishmeal while mitigating the environmental downsides associated with ocean-based harvesting. For feed manufacturers, this means accessing a consistent supply of a custom, high-quality ingredient featuring lower emissions as compared to traditional marine proteins.
“We demonstrated that fishmeal can effectively be substituted with locally cultivated marine ingredients in chick diets, showcasing a sustainable long-term solution to the over-exploitation of marine resources.” – Remi Gratacap, CEO of Aquanzo
Knowledge Dissemination and Community Engagement
This initiative emphasizes knowledge exchange and community engagement through an advisory panel and industry stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the technical, commercial, and environmental needs of the sector. The successful demonstration of Artemeal as a fishmeal alternative in starter broiler feed opens doors for a new segment within the animal feed market.
Redefining Livestock Feed Composition
The Artemeal project aims to deliver:
- A prototype production facility for artemia
- A refined process for large-scale Artemeal production
- Engagement materials for industry and academic audiences
- Comprehensive reports detailing nutritional value and growth performance, bolstering the viability of Artemeal as a substitute for fishmeal
Long-term Production Goals
Aquanzo anticipates that industrial-scale production of Artemeal could yield thousands of tonnes annually, potentially providing over 10% of all UK poultry starter diets within five years, which would effectively feed over 100 million birds.
Conclusion: A Sustainable Future in Animal Nutrition
The vision propelling Aquanzo extends to delivering zero ocean impact protein alternatives that promise productivity and health benefits for farmed animals, thereby enhancing sustainability in protein production through optimized genetic and feedstock management.
Researchers from SRUC, Jos Houdijk and Marwa Hussein, shared their excitement: “Observing that birds fed Artemeal during their early life stages outperformed those on fishmeal highlights its potential in fostering robust poultry production.”
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