CHAPTER 20 



Fish Meal Quality 



Neva L. Karrick 



Fish meal was used for feeding purposes in Europe before 1900, and 

 its use as a feed increased during World War I. At that time it was used 

 in the United States primarily for fertilizer. However, methods of manu- 

 facture improved, a better product became available, and by the 1930's 

 fish meal was an important ingredient in poultry feeds. It was recognized 

 as a valuable animal protein supplement and as a source of vitamins, 

 minerals, and unknown growth factors. Fish meals are still fed for the 

 same reasons, though much more has been learned through the years 

 about the components and why they are valuable as animal feeds. Basi- 

 cally, fish meals are added to the diet as high quality supplements to 

 obtain efficient diets, particularly for poultry. Today, nearly all of the 

 fish meal produced in the United States is used in formulation of feeds 

 for poultry. 



Fish meal is a general term for a number of different products that 

 vary in type of raw material and method of production. This results in 

 differences in quality and in composition. Many of the research investi- 

 gations on fish meals have been attempts to determine amount of and 

 reasons for variation. Attempts to assess quality and nutritional value 

 are important parts of this research. 



Specifications 



Feed manufacturers, who use fish meals in their formulations, state 

 that the most important need is a standard product. The Nutrition Coun- 



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