Guardian

COST reduction in poultry and aquaculture was the main focus of the seminars organised recently in Lagos by Norgem Nigeria Ltd, in collaboration with Novus International Inc., USA.

The thrust was on affordable, wholesome and food. The technical issues were discussed. One focused on how to get the best performance from feed ingredients, using protease enzymes. Dr. Nasser Odetallah, global product manager for enzymes and probiotics from Novus who presented this technical session, explained how trials have shown that a cost saving of between  3.1 per cent to 7.5 per cent can be made without compromising the performance of the animal, by simply including protease enzyme.

Dr. Francisco Gomes, the global aquaculture manager for Novus International, USA, in his own presentation, shared with participants the testimonies of a brand of fishmeal replacement product called Meramet Plus Catfish (MMPC). The expert in aquaculture management indicated its ability to replace between 20 and 50 per cent of the expensive fishmeal now in use in Nigeria.

Gomes stressed that feed formulation must be based on ingredient digestibility, palatibility and nutrient utilisation. He also explained that replacement of fish meal by MMPC affords the farmer between eight and 12 per cent cost reduction without compromising the performance of the fish in terms of feed conversion rate, growth rate, body composition yield and environmental impact.