This project is designed to promote market pull for the continued inclusion of various soybean meals (traditional and new varieties) by providing science based practical information for both the farmer and feed mill manufacturers. Data developed in this project is expected to demonstrate the efficacy of traditional soybean meal, new high protein low oligosaccharide variety, and a fermented/enzyme treated soy products. Additionally, we will evaluate the use of corn protein with yeast as a new product that could enhance the performance of soy-based feed through a better balance of amino acids and the inclusion of yeast by products. Overall, the goal is to continue to improve soy-based feeds for catfish. In previous work we found a positive benefit to new soy products and blending them with corn by products with yeast. The proposed work will extend our previous work with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to the hybrid catfish (male channel catfish x female blue catfish, I. furcatus) which has become the strain of choice (~52% industry) by US catfish farmers who are the largest user of soybean meal in the US aquaculture industry.

To evaluate 4 diets for hybrid channel catfish to compare a traditional solvent extracted soybean meal-based diet to those based on two advanced soy products (Bright Day, HP 300) as a replacement for traditional solvent extracted soybean meal as well as the basal diet containing corn protein with yeast to help improve the AA balance and supply a source of yeast.

• Quarterly and final reports.
• Demonstration of in pond raceway production technology.
• Demonstration of soy-based feeds using newer soy-based products.
• Validation of production data using a controlled indoor aquaria trial.

Updated June 15, 2024:
Report June 15, 2024
To evaluate the efficacy of advanced soy products in hybrid channel catfish production diets, a total of four diets were developed using solvent extracted soybean meal (SBM) as the primary protein source. This included a basal diet containing 56.5 g/100g diet of SB. The SBM was then completely replaced by either fermented soybean meal (43 g/100g diet) produced by Hamlet Inc (Findlay, OH, U.S.) or a low oligosaccharide soybean meal (45 g/100g diet) produced by a genetically engineered technology and marketed by Benson Hill (St Louis, MO, U.S.). The fourth treatment was a modification of the basal diet to reduce SBM (44.5 g SBM/100g diet) in combination with 10g/100g diet of fermented corn protein, a byproduct of ethanol production. All diets were produced under commercial extrusion conditions by Optimal Aquafeeds Inc.

The proposed work is being carried out at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Research Station in Auburn, Alabama. The growth trial with hybrid catfish is being carried out in a 1-acre research pond equipped with research-scale in-pond raceway systems. The raceways (12) have continual water flow supplied via individual airlift pumps. The enclosure dimensions are 11ft x 4 ft with a 4.5 ft water depth (5 ft deep with freeboard) providing a rough volume of ~ 200 sq ft (~1,500 gal). The raceways were stocked April 25, 2024 with 350 hybrid catfish (Mean weight 226 g) in each raceway. Albeit a few fish were lost after stocking, the fish are in good health and consuming feed well.

A second component of the project is to run hybrid catfish in aquaria to look at growth and nutrient retention under more controlled conditions. We currently have about 3,000 fry from this year’s spawn that will be reared to a suitable size with the trial expected to be initiated late summer early fall.

Presently, the catfish industry is the largest consumer of soybean meal in the US aquaculture industry. Hence, this project is designed to support continued domestic demand and demonstrate the application of new soy products to the industry.