Dried fish meal

Types of dried fish meal

Dried fish meal is a dietary supplement for livestock in powdered form. It is produced by cooking fish, drying it in the sun or using a drying machine, and grinding it into fine meal. It contains high percentages of protein, omega-3 oils, calcium, phosphorous, and amino acids.

• Re-fried fish meal

  Uhuru fish meal is produced from fish that has been partially cooked by frying and then dried in the sun. The frying process helps to separate the oils from the fish, which are then absorbed during the drying process. The drying is done using solar energy.

• Steamed fish meal

  Like the fried fish meal, steamed fish meal is produced from fish that has been subjected to steaming, whereby the nutrients are better absorbed, and then dried in the sun. Some suppliers use a smoker instead of steaming to give the fish a smoky flavor.

• Sun-dried fish meal

  This fish meal is extracted from fish that is simply dried in the sun without any pre-treatment. It is the most basic form of fish meal with the least concentration of nutrients. In some regions, it is referred to as canry fish meal.

• Oven-dried fish meal

  This fish meal is sourced from fish that has been dried in an oven. Often, the manufacturers will dry the fish first and then grind it. At this point, the fish will be in larger particles and not meal. They will then oven-dry it again to make it a fine meal.

• Freshwater fish meal

  Production of this fish meal is mainly from fish species sourced from freshwater regions like lakes and rivers. They offer a cheaper alternative for manufacturers who cannot easily access seawater fish.

• Low-temperature dried fish meal

  This meal is produced from fish that has been dried at low temperatures. This is done to ensure that the nutritional value of the fish is not degraded. It is particularly important for maintaining delicate nutrients like vitamins and high-quality proteins.

• Salted fish meal

  This fish meal is produced from fish that has been salted and dried in the sun. The salting process helps to preserve the fish, but it also adds sodium to the meal.

How to use dried fish meal

Dried fish feed is highly versatile and can be applied in the production of different feeds. Its usually fine in texture and rich in nutrients.

• Supplement in animal feed

  Fish meal is used as a supplement in poultry feed to improve the protein content. This supports growth, feather development, and egg production. In swine diets, fish meal improves protein intake to support muscle development, improve energy levels, and boost immune systems.

• Aquaculture

  This is the practice of farming aquatic animals such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed in bodies of water. Fish meal is an important feed ingredient for fish like tilapia, catfish, and salmon. Fish meal provides high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals that are important for supporting optimal growth, boosting disease resistance, and improving reproductive functions in fish.

• Pet food production

  In the manufacture of food for cats and dogs, fish meal is used as a high-protein ingredient. It aids in muscle development while providing essential fatty acids for skin and coat health. Also, it contains amino acids that promote optimal feline and canine tissue development.

• Fertilizers

  Dried fish meal is applied to crop fields as organic fertilizer. It boosts soil fertility and promotes crop growth by improving the nitrogen content in the soil. The meal can be incorporated into soil before planting, or it can be applied as a side dressing during crop growth.

• Enrichment for organic compost

  Fish meal is added to compost piles to improve their nutrient content. This boosts the nutrient levels of the compost which in turn enriches the natural fertilizer. The nutrient-rich compost will then be used to promote soil fertility for better crop yields.

• Specialized feed for livestock

  Fish meal can be added to feed for ruminants like cows and goats. It helps to improve milk quality and quantity by providing essential nutrients. In sheep, fish meal helps to improve wool quality by providing proteins and fatty acids that support wool growth.

Benefits of dried fish meal

Dried fish bone meal has many benefits for livestock. It is highly nutritious and offers many options for application.

• Rich in protein

  Dried fish meal is very high in protein content, usually between 60% and 70%. That makes it an exemplary source of protein supplements for livestock feeds. The protein aids in muscle development and tissue repair while boosting the animal’s energy levels.

• Boosts immunity

  It has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. When applied to feeds, fish meal helps to strengthen the immune systems of livestock. This keeps the livestock healthy and less susceptible to diseases. The vitamins and minerals, usually vitamin D and zinc, help enhance immune responses. This reduces the need for medication and helps prevent disease outbreaks.

• Promotes reproductive health

  Fish meal is rich in essential fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA. These are beneficial for reproductive health as they support optimal hormone production and improve sperm quality in males while aiding ovum development in females. All these contribute to better reproductive outputs like higher conception rates and healthier offspring.

• Bone health

  Fish meal is rich in calcium and phosphorous. When applied to livestock feeds, the meal promote better bone development in growing animals. These minerals also support bone maintenance in adults to reduce the risk of fractures and skeletal deformities.

• Easy to digest

  Fish meal, especially high-quality varieties that are low in ash content, is easily digestible by livestock. This makes it ideal for boosting feed conversion rates. Livestock can quickly convert fish meal into valuable nutrients, improving their efficiency when utilizing feed to meet nutritional needs.

• Organic fertilizer

  Dried fish meal is rich in nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. This makes it a good quality organic fertilizer. It supports soil fertility by improving nutrient content while promoting healthy crop growth. Fish meal is a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers that improves crop yields without harming the environment.

How to store dried fish meal

Storing the dried fish meal properly will ensure it maintains its nutrient profile and doesn’t go bad in storage. It must be stored in an environment that is resistant to elements that promote spoilage, like moisture, heat, air, pests, and contaminants.

• Cool and dry conditions

  Dried fish meal should be stored in a cool environment with dry conditions. Usually, the optimal storage temperature is below 25 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, fish meal will have a longer shelf life. Avoid excess heat as it promotes meal spoilage by causing oxidation and the growth of mold.

• Airtight containers

  Store fish meal in airtight containers that are sealable. These containers include plastic buckets, drums, or vacuum-sealed bags. Preventing exposure to air will slow spoilage and preserve the meal’s nutrient content. It will also reduce the risk of pests like insects and rodents that contaminate the meal.

• Elevated storage

  When storing fish meal in bulk, ensure that it is stored on pallets to avoid direct contact with the ground. This will help prevent moisture absorption from the floor and exposure to insects that live in the ground. Also, elevated storage promotes good air circulation around the containers to reduce moisture build-up.

• Proper labeling

  Label containers with the date of receipt and date of expiration. This will help in practicing the FIFO (first in, first out) method during usage. The fish meal with the earliest date of expiration will be used first to prevent spoilage.

• Monitoring conditions

  Regularly check the storage conditions of fish meal to ensure it is not exposed to moisture or high temperatures. Look for signs of mold, discoloration, or off odors, which could indicate spoilage. Smell the meal to identify whether its gone bad.

• Minimize moisture

  Use dehumidifiers or fans to reduce moisture levels in storage areas. Moisture promotes mold growth and helps fish meal go bad. Adding silica gel packets into storage containers will absorb excess moisture and keep the meal dry. Also, ensure that the containers are completely dry before adding the meal.

Q & A

Which is more preferable between fish meal and fish powder?

Fish meal is usually more advantageous than fish powder to livestock because it has a higher protein content. Fish meal is also more concentrated in essential nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. This makes it more advantageous for boosting feed nutritional content. Also, fish meal has a stronger flavor profile than fish powder. It makes it more appealing to livestock.

What is fish meal used for?

Fish meal is commonly used in animal feed for livestock. It is used in pets, poultry, swine, cattle, sheep, goats, and aquaculture. It boosts feed protein content while providing essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and minerals.

What nutrients does fish meal contain?

Fish meal is usually rich in protein content, often between 60 and 70%. It also has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, and smaller amounts of zinc, iron, and vitamins such as B12.

Is fish meal better than oil for livestock?

Yes, fish meal is recommended over fish oil because it’s more nutrient-rich and provides a wider nutrient range to the livestock. Fish oil only offers fatty acids while fish meal also provides proteins and minerals. Furthermore, fish meal is cheaper and more practical to apply than fish oil in livestock feeds.

How do you keep fish meal fresh for longer in storage?

Fish meal should be stored in a cool, dry, airtight container to keep it fresh for longer. The container should be stored in a cool location with a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. The container should be airtight to prevent moisture and air exposure which would degrade the meal.