Q & A with Aquaculture Nutritionist at Rangen Wilbur-Ellis

Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) had a conversation with David Brock, an aquaculture nutritionist at Rangen Wilbur-Ellis, a SATS member. His company is a 90-plus year-old aquaculture and general feed company with production facilities in Buhl, Idaho, and Angleton, Texas that was acquired by Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition in 2019.

David discussed how Rangen Wilbur-Ellis’ aquaculture feed business plays a vital role in the growth of the emerging aquaculture industry, which can help feed the growing global population sustainably. David also discussed the benefits of aquaculture in American communities and how federal legislation can support the growth of the innovative industry.

Aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets in the global feed industry, so how does Rangen Wilbur-Ellis play a key role?

Rangen is an established aquaculture feed manufacturer having started making feed for the Idaho trout industry in 1950. We have a record of providing quality products designed to meet the needs of our customers. With onsite seasoned aquaculture nutritionists, inhouse feed manufacturing and quality specialists, and a dedicated global logistics team, we have all the necessary components to design, manufacture, and deliver feeds to aquaculture producers in a timely manner. The Wilbur-Ellis platform gives us the ability to investigate and support new technology that will move the industry forward and help our customers be successful.

How does nutritious and high-quality feed for aquaculture help meet the growing consumer demand for protein based healthy foods?

Rangen’s approach to feed has always been to supply quality feed that performs. To do that, we must understand the nutrient requirements of the animal we are feeding. Additionally, we must be knowledgeable about the ingredients that are available, what nutrients they can deliver, and put them together in a cost-effective matrix that delivers optimum nutrition. Historically, diets for carnivorous species have relied heavily on fish meal but there is a finite supply of this ingredient, it has sustainability challenges, and is subject to dramatic price fluctuations. We are constantly evaluating new ingredients that allow us to reduce our dependence on fish meal while maintaining strong fish performance. 

How does the aquaculture industry utilize innovative technologies?

Aquaculture ventures in the U.S. are rarely without significant regulatory, resource, manpower, land cost, and capitalization challenges. For this reason, these ventures must figure out innovative ways to overcome these challenges while at the same time producing a high-quality product that can be sold in commerce at a profit. They are also working in a liquid environment which has a whole host of challenges different from terrestrial animal production. To survive, innovation is a way of life for aquaculture farmers, i.e., Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. In the case of marine aquaculture, there will be intense public scrutiny of these projects coupled with the challenges of the marine environment, and it will require innovative approaches for them to succeed. 

What can you tell us about the varying benefits of river-based and pond-based aquaculture and Wilbur Ellis’ contributions in Idaho and Texas?

Wilbur-Ellis has two aquaculture feeds plants. One in Buhl, Idaho, and the other in Angleton, Texas.  Both facilities produce distinct lines of feed designed for the species and culture system used by the farmer.  Farmers use a variety of methods to grow fish, including raceways and ponds. The trout industry in Southern Idaho primarily utilizes raceway culture systems that take advantage of artesian spring water. The spring fed raceways have water that is a constant temperature, clear, and flows are typically consistent. Fish can be readily observed, so management of disease, feeding, and density, is based on careful observation. The culture systems in Texas are typically large ponds filled with pumped groundwater. The water clarity of these ponds often precludes seeing the fish readily, so management relies more on clues like how well the fish are feeding, water temperature, and quality information.  Each of the above culture systems have their own set of challenges.

How would federal legislation address the regulatory hurdles that hinder the growth of the aquaculture industry in the U.S.?

Aquaculture in the U.S. is burdened with regulation. A recent study by Dr. Carole Engle and Jonathan Senten reported that the mean annual regulatory costs for individual U.S. salmonid farms were over $150,000. Imports are often not subject to similar regulatory costs. The U.S. has an appetite for seafood, but unfortunately, there is some opposition to aquaculture due to environmental concerns. A better approach is for the U.S. to be raising our own fish and putting together legislation that will foster investment and innovation and minimize regulatory costs in order to produce high-quality aquaculture products, put Americans to work, while at the same time doing this in such a way that ecosystem impacts are minimized.