The overall aim of our proposed project is to increase the usage of soybean meal (SBM) in salmonids feeds for the commercial production of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar.

The specific objectives of this study are to:
a. Improve the feed formulation to incorporate maximum amount of SBM in Atlantic salmon
b. Investigate the effects of supplementation of “insect meal, black soldier fly larval (BSFL) meal” in SBM based diets on growth production performance, feed efficiency, distal intestinal structure (enteritis), intestinal barrier function, immune functions, and health of Atlantic salmon

Deliverables(s) Activities Milestones or Key Decision Points Anticipated Timeline
1. Feed formulation and manufacture, and experimental setup Will be able to manufacture the experimental diets October - November 2022
2. Feeding trial

Fish will be fed for 12 weeks December 2022 -March 2023
3. Data analysis At the end of experiment, samples will be analyzed in the lab. Data will be analyzed. April – July 2023
4. Manuscript and project report submission
FINAL report August – September 2023

Update:
Objective 1: Improve the feed formulation to incorporate maximum amount of SBM in Atlantic salmon

We have completed the feed formulation and also feeding trial was done in January 2023.

Objective 2: Investigate the effects of supplementation of “insect meal, black soldier fly larval (BSFL) meal” in SBM based diets on growth production performance, feed efficiency, distal intestinal structure (enteritis), intestinal barrier function, immune functions, and health of Atlantic salmon

We have completed the fish feeding trial.

View uploaded report

Update:
Objective 1: Improve the feed formulation to incorporate maximum amount of SBM in Atlantic salmon

We have completed the feed formulation and also feeding trial was done in January 2023.

Objective 2: Investigate the effects of supplementation of “insect meal, black soldier fly larval (BSFL) meal” in SBM based diets on growth production performance, feed efficiency, distal intestinal structure (enteritis), intestinal barrier function, immune functions, and health of Atlantic salmon

We have completed the fish feeding trial.

View uploaded report

Update:
Objective 1: Improve the feed formulation to incorporate maximum amount of SBM in Atlantic salmon

We have completed the feed formulation and also feeding trial was done in January 2023.

Objective 2: Investigate the effects of supplementation of “insect meal, black soldier fly larval (BSFL) meal” in SBM based diets on growth production performance, feed efficiency, distal intestinal structure (enteritis), intestinal barrier function, immune functions, and health of Atlantic salmon

We have completed the fish feeding trial. We have analyzed the proximate composition of experimental diets.
Additionally, we have completed the data analysis of growth data, feed utilization and gut histology of salmon.

Update:
Objective 1: Improve the feed formulation to incorporate maximum amount of SBM in Atlantic salmon

We have completed the feed formulation and also feeding trial was done in January 2023.

Objective 2: Investigate the effects of supplementation of “insect meal, black soldier fly larval (BSFL) meal” in SBM based diets on growth production performance, feed efficiency, distal intestinal structure (enteritis), intestinal barrier function, immune functions, and health of Atlantic salmon

We have completed the fish feeding trial. We have analyzed the proximate composition of experimental diets.
Additionally, we have completed the data analysis of growth data, feed utilization and gut and distal intestinal structure (enteritis) of salmon.

Gene expression of intestinal barrier function, immune functions, and health parameters are pending.

Update:

View uploaded report

View uploaded report 2

Based on our preliminary study, functional feed ingredients such as “insect meal” can enhance the utilization of soybean meal in Atlantic salmon which will give a “proof of concept,” and lead to the adoption of more economical and environmentally sustainable soy-based feeds in the salmonids feed industry. Global fish farmers would interest to adopt this technology for salmonids feed. At the end of project, this information will be presented in conferences such as Idaho Aquaculture Association and Aquaculture America. It will be also published in peer-reviewed journals, and shared with feed industries, farmers, and farmer cooperatives through publication of pamphlets, holding of workshops, and posting on the website of the Soy Aquaculture Alliance. The long-term impacts of this proposed project will be primarily via the greatest return on investment for this project is the ultimate reduction in production costs due to increased growth rate by reduced feed costs by using soy-based diets. Ultimately, it will increase the socio-economic condition of the fish farmers and feed industry by producing good quality aquaculture feed and seafood, which can reduce the U.S. trade deficit, and mitigating the strain on natural saltwater fish for fishmeal.