BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

Chapter 240: GUIDELINES FOR FEEDING FISH WASTE AND OTHER LIQUID BASED

FEED SYSTEMS TO SWINE

SUMMARY: The guidelines define generally acceptable agricultural practices for feeding fish waste. The guidelines specify that the waste material should be ground and partially dried, analyzed for nutrient content and used only as a feed supplement based upon the analysis. Furthermore, the material should be fed from containers constructed of an impervious material and should be cleaned within 48 hours after feeding.

I. Introduction

Under authority of 17 MRSA §2805, the following are adopted as generally accepted agricultural practices for the feeding of fish waste and other liquid-based waste products to swine.

Based on the limited information available, dry ground fish waste is a good source of protein. Depending on the composition of the waste, the total crude protein of fish waste could reach 49.5% (Table 1.)

TABLE 1: Proximate Analysis of Fish Wastes

Shrimp	Fish Fish Fish Fish Scale Head Gut Waste
Waste
Moisture	6.3 4.6 5.3 15.8 6.7
Total crude protein	49.5 44.8 47.5 55.6 49.5
Ether extract	4.3 6.7

	5.9
	12.1
	4.8
Ash
	27.3
	35.4
	29.1
	10.1
	27.0

*Afolabi, et al., 1980. Nutrition Reports International Vol. 21.No. 6. 901-906

In addition, the amino acid profile of fish waste is very similar to that of industrial fish meal. This and the relatively lower processing cost could make it economically feasible for ground dry fish waste to replace commercial fish meal as a feed ingredient in many livestock and poultry rations.

II. Source for Feed

Using fish waste as the only feed source in swine operations is not recommended and should not be considered a sound farming practice. In addition, from a practical as well as a nutritional aspect, raw fish waste Is not suitable for incorporation into swine rations. This material to be suitable for incorporation into swine rations should be:

1. ground and partially dried

2. analyzed for nutrient content to allow for proper inclusion in properly balanced rations

3. used only as a supplement to the swine ration, with amounts fed to be determined based on nutritional value of the product

The rate of inclusion of fish waste into swine rations may be affected by the type of ration, the age of the pigs and the stage of reproduction. An average of St could be used as a guideline for adding fish waste to swine rations. High levels of fish products in the ration can result in adverse effects on carcass quality and should be avoided, especially when dealing with feeder pig operations.

The attached swine ration (Appendix 1) is an example of a lactating swine ration with St added fish waste. Other rations could easily be formulated and nutritionally adjusted to meet the requirements of other classes of swine. Farmers are encouraged to contact their Extension County Agent or the Livestock Specialist with the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maine, Orono for information on swine feed formulation and feeding practices.

III. Feed Containers

Any liquid-based food products should be fed from containers that are constructed of concrete or equally impervious material, tightly built to prevent leakage, and designed so as to allow for cleaning, washing, and disinfection. Such containers should have a curb adequate to confine waste and fluids. The height of the curb should not be less than six inches.

IV. Cleaning

Concrete or other feeding structures should be kept in a clean and sanitary condition by washing or dry cleaning. Refuse should be removed from the feeding area within 48 hours after completion of the feeding, and disposed of in accordance with DEP statutes and regulations.

V. Storage

Fish waste should be ground and partially dried before being stored on the farm. In addition, the material should not be stored in such a way or in such amounts that will create a solid waste, an insect infestation or other offensive problem.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 17 M.R.S.A. §2805 (1983)

EFFECTIVE DATE:

August 2, 1986

EFFECTIVE DATE (ELECTRONIC CONVERSION):

May 4, 1996

CONVERTED TO MS WORD:

May 15, 2008

CORRECTIONS:

February, 2014 – agency names, formatting

APPENDIX I

NAME	PORKY
DATE	1/29/86
TYPE OF RATION	LACT-1

FEED FORMULA & COSTS

FEED MATERIALS	AMOUNT IN RATION (LB./TON)	COST FOR A 2000 LB. BATCH	COST/CWT AS FED
CORN	1635.000	$0.00	$0.00
SOY 49	210.000	$0.00	$0.00
FISH WASTE 49.5%	100.000	$0.00	$0.00
LIMESTONE	15.000	$0.00	$0.00
DICAL	25.000	$0.00	$0.00
SALT	10.000	$0.00	$0.00
VIT-MIX	5.000	$0.00	$0.00
TOTAL COST PER 2000 POUND	$0.00

NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SELECTED FEED MIX

NUTRIENT	LEVEL	UNITS
ENERGY	1428.800	CAL/LB.
MAX FIBER	2.148	%
FAT	3.573	%
CALCIUM	1.110	%
TOTAL PHOS.	0.665	%
SODIUM	0.254	%
VIT. A	3855.725	IU/LB.
VIT. D	3200.000	IU/LB.
RIBOFLAVIN	2.873	MG/LB.
PROTEIN	14.896	%
MIN LYSINE	0.631	%
MIN METH	0.260	%
MIN METH + CYST	0.489	%
MIN ARGININE	0.820	%
MIN LEUCINE	1.430	%
MIN TRYPTOPHANE	0.247	%
MIN CHOLINE	554.323	MG/LB.
PANT. ACID	14.791	MG/LB.
NIACIN	32.790	MG/LB.
XANTHOPHYLL	8.175	MG/LB.

M. EL-BEGEARMI, 86