January 17, 2008

Alltech makes big push into aquaculture 
 

Feed additive company Alltech is making a foray into aquaculture at a time when the US is exploring options to produce its own fishes.

The move towards domestic fish production was sparked off last year after several Asian fish and shrimp shipments were detected with banned antibiotics, particularly those from China. With increased US restrictions on foreign seafood and concern for food safety arising from consumers, attention has focused on how aquaculture would become viable in a land of high labour cost and strict environmental regulations. 

Half of the world's current fish consumption comes from aquaculture and 90 percent of the world's aquaculture production comes from Asia. The US currently imports more than 70 percent of its seafood requirements.

Alltech, which branded itself on its range of all-natural products, is known more for its feed additives in farm and equine animals. Now, the company hopes shift that knowledge towards fish and shrimp.

Alltech opened a US$1 million aquaculture centre near its Nicholasville headquarters in the state of Kentucky last year.

Alltech's research, with results evaluated independently by Kentucky State University in Frankfort, has yielded products that the company says would benefit shrimp and fish.

A yeast extract called NuPro enlarges shrimp performance while another product, Bio-Mos cuts down the incidence of disease in shrimp farms in Asia.

Meanwhile, the Nicholasville aquaculture center is studying the effects of Alltech products on Nile tilapia.

The company hopes to extend that research to shrimp, trout, salmon and other species.