Fishmeal, an Advantageous Feed Ingredient

Fishmeal is a beneficial, nutrient-rich ingredient used predominantly as a feed ingredient for domestic animals and occasionally as a high-quality fertilizer. Fishmeal, a marine protein, is a brown powder or cake obtained by cooking, pressing, drying and grinding fish and fish trimmings—including the bones and offal—to remove the majority of the fish oil and water. Fishmeal has been used as a feed ingredient for poultry, pigs, cattle, cows, sheep, camels, horses and other animals for hundreds of years. Fishmeal is also used as an aquaculture feed ingredient. Almost any fish or shellfish in the sea can be made into fishmeal, as long as they are not poisonous or endangered.

The most common process of obtaining fishmeal is cooking, pressing, drying and grinding.

Cooking
Cooking is possibly the most important stage of the fishmeal production process. The fish are cooked in a large cylinder that moves the fish around by a screw conveyor. Undercooking the fish causes the fish to retain its liquor and therefore not be satisfactorily extracted; however, overcooking the fish makes the element too soft to be pressed.

Pressing
The cooked fish is then pressed in a perforated tube over time with increasing intensity. The pressing reduces the oil content to 4% and water content by 20% and the solid material left behind when pressing is finished is called Press Cake.

Drying
Drying is an important stage of the fishmeal creation process. Drying is important because if the fishmeal is under-dried then molds and bacteria develop, ruining the fishmeal; likewise, if the fishmeal is over-dried then scorching can occur, reducing the nutritional value of the fishmeal.

Grinding
Grinding is the last stage of the fishmeal production process and involves the breaking down of lumps or particles of bone so that the meal is uniform, powder-like, and ready to be used in animal feed or fertilizers.

The Benefit of Fish Oil for Your Animals

In the last century, living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and healthy food choices has become all the rage, and purchasing health supplements, herbal remedies and additives, like fish oil, have become increasingly popular. The popularity of health supplements, herbal remedies and additives derives from their proven benefits such improved heart function, improved vision and improved joint health. Not to mention that the Omega 3 oils, such as fish oil, provide important nutrients for proper immune system function and skin nourishment. But fish oils don't simply benefit humans, they are also beneficial for your pets and livestock because the same health benefits provided to humans are provided to animals.

In addition to the health benefits humans receive from fish oils, there are supplementary benefits of fish oil for animals. Omega 3 oils provide the important nutrients needed for a healthy and shiny coat, while helping to treat and prevent allergies in pets. Fish oils are also advocated to help treat inflammatory diseases in animals including kidney disease and heart disease, as well as elevated cholesterol, cancer, and arthritis. Pets and livestock with a variety of inflammatory diseases can potentially benefit from fish oil supplementation. Talk to your veterinarian or animal feed consultant about what is the best source of nutrients for your pets and livestock before administering any supplemental nutrients.

Your animals will begin benefiting from fish oil supplementation right away. Though your pets and livestock will benefit quickly, you probably won't notice a difference in your animal in 3-4 months. Your pet's body will begin changing from the inside out, beginning with individual cells and tissues and then organs, skin and coat. You pet will radiate their new, healthy lifestyle. Adding fish oil and other Omega 3 oils to your pet and livestock feed ingredients as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle may be one of the best actions you can take to improve your animals' quality of life and defend against inflammation and chronic ailments. If you have any questions about feed ingredients or other beneficial animal proteins or additives, contact Fornazor for more information.