April 28, 2006

Institute seeks state funding for research feed mill

The Oceanic Institute is seeking a US$4 million grant from the state government of Hawaii as part of its effort to build a research feed mill there.

The funding would be added to US$3.7 million already raised for the proposal.

Research done at the facility would help farmers produce feeds more cost effectively for the livestock, poultry and aquaculture industries. The facility would look at the possibilities of utilizing byproducts from the sugar cane, pineapple and macadamia nut industries.

The current shortage of low-cost feeds hampers profitability in both the livestock and aquaculture industries in Hawaii, said Kevin Hopkins, a professor and Interim Director of the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center at the University of Hawaii-Hilo.