Description

Fish meal
Fish meal is a naturally balanced feed ingredient that is high in protein, energy and minerals (e.g. calcium and phosphorus). In addition, FM is a natural source of vitamins such as choline, biotin and vitamin B*2, A, D and E, and includes various trace elements like selenium and iodine. The compositional quality of the nutrients found in FM distinguishes it from other dietary supplements, particularly its content of essential amino acids and long chain polyunsaturated omega*3 fatty acids. Fish meal and fish oil (FO) are the most commonly used feed ingredients that contain these omega*3 fatty acids. There are two basic types of FM, those that are produced from fishery waste associated with the processing of various edible human fishery products (salmon, tuna, etc.) and those that are produced from fish specifically harvested to produce FM (herring, menhaden, pollack, etc.). Fish meal is produced directly by cooking or drying the raw fish and then extracting the oil. In addition to being a by-product of the processing of fish for human consumption, FM is also a by-product associated with fish oil production. In some parts of the world, FM is the primary supplemental protein source provided to livestock because plant derived sources are either unavailable or too expensive. Five to *0% of FM was used for optimum benefit of young pigs in the diet.