The flexibility comes from the introduction of the Skretting MicroBalance™ concept into Optiline trout feeds. This follows validation of the concept for trout through a series of trials at the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) facility in Mozzecane, Italy: trout were raised on diets formulated according to the Optiline concept of having a consistent digestible nutrient content despite using distinctly different combinations of raw materials. Application of the MicroBalance™ concept on top allowed further flexibility in formulation while growth rate and feed conversion ratios remained constant.
“When raw material prices fluctuate widely we have two options,” says Umberto Luzzana, Product Manager Skretting Southern Europe. “We can manufacture feed to a consistent formulation in terms of raw materials inclusion to provide consistent performance but with widely changing prices or we can adjust the formulation to moderate the impact of price spikes while still providing the same digestible nutrients. The challenge in taking the second option is that it requires a deep and detailed understanding of the nutritional requirements of the trout and of the digestible nutrient content of every raw material, in accordance with the Optiline concept. Skretting ARC has built a bank of information on these two aspects, for trout and for other species such as European sea bass and gilthead sea bream, where Optibass and Optibream have been proven to be successful feeds. MicroBalance™ is a further step. It is based on providing a correct balance of micronutrients, which allows further reduction in the dependency on individual raw materials and ensures that this increased flexibility can be achieved without reduction of fish performance—growth, feed conversion, health and flesh quality. The enhanced flexibility from MicroBalance™ has already proved that it can save money for fish farmers with species such as salmon, sea bass and sea bream. Validation of MicroBalance™ in trout feeds is a further important step that provides a solid basis on which to defend economic efficiency at farm level while enhancing the sustainability of farming operations.”