Both lab and on-farm feeding trial research, funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff, show species like hybrid striped bass and largemouth bass can effectively digest higher amounts of soybean meal when blended with meal derived from Asian carp.
“The research may solve several challenges for Midwestern fisheries and the aquaculture industry,” says Jesse Trushenski, associate professor at SIU’s Center for Fisheries Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences in Carbondale, Ill. “The fish diets we studied use meal from Asian carp, an invasive fish that is spreading and disrupting ecosystems in the Mississippi River Basin. Blending carp meal and soybean meal allowed us to use larger amounts of soybean meal. And, these diets offer a local alternative to marine-based fish meal.”
Aquaculture, an expanding, protein-hungry industry, needs to develop alternate feed sources, according to Trushenski. The growing scarcity of wild anchovies and sardines increases the costs of marine-based fish meal and impacts ocean ecosystems. Soybean meal is a proven, renewable alternative, but using just soybean meal in place of fish meal affects the growth and health of some carnivorous species.
“Previous SIU research established Asian carp meal as equal to or better than marine-based fish meal in aquaculture diets, and helped set standards for using soybean meal in aquaculture,” Trushenski explains. “We took our understanding of protein for carnivorous fish feed a step further by demonstrating synergies between local protein sources – soybeans and invasive fish.”
The research trial formulations used 25 percent soybean meal and 18 percent Asian carp meal, proteins readily available in the Midwest. A new carp rendering plant in Grafton, Ill., will boost availability of Asian carp meal, and demonstrates the ripple effect this solution can have on rural economies.
“Cost-effective carp meal is good news for soybean meal demand in aquaculture,” says Duane Dahlman, soybean farmer and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) director from Marengo, Ill. “This SIU research proves the two ingredients can be used together in a nutritious fish feed blend for key species.
“Using Asian carp benefits commercial fishing and carp meal production creates jobs,” Dahlman continues. “Plus, feeding local soybean meal and carp meal can improve profitability for fisheries and farmers. All these industries are based in rural areas that benefit from income, jobs and strengthened tax bases.”
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 45,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education. Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C. ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
