Canola is described as a promising alternative feed ingredient.
Photo: Onda.
Onda, Canada’s largest contract research organization specializing in aquaculture research, has partnered with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) on an innovative Canola AgriScience Cluster project.
The collaboration aims to examine the potential of Canadian canola-based feed meal as a sustainable alternative ingredient for aquaculture feed, opening new markets for Canadian canola while reducing reliance on marine ingredients.
The Canola AgriScience Cluster is a five-year research initiative funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. It is supported by contributions from CCC, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers, and the Ontario Canola Growers Association. Over its duration, the program will facilitate 17 collaborative projects involving public research institutions across Canada.
“As global demand for seafood continues to rise, the need for sustainable practices in aquaculture has become more pressing than ever," said Myrna Gillis, CEO of Onda, in a press release.
"By advancing research into alternative feed sources, Onda and the canola sector are helping the industry meet these challenges head-on while working to unlock new markets for Canadian canola," she added.
The 18-month project will focus on assessing the impact of canola meal in fish feed on growth, disease resistance, and environmental sustainability. It will also involve updating nutrient digestibility values and conducting a life cycle analysis of canola meal in salmon feed.
Onda’s Nutrition, Health, FeedTech, and LabTech units will drive the research, which will culminate in the dissemination of findings to stakeholders.
“This research will enhance our understanding of canola meal’s nutritional value in aquaculture, helping to build market opportunities and further canola’s value-added contributions to our food and feed systems,” said Chris Manchur, CCC agronomy specialist and research lead.
According to Onda, canola meal is a "promising" plant protein source for aquaculture feed, based on its sustainability, availability, cost-effectiveness, and balanced amino acid profile.
"Additionally, the long salmon production cycle of 1.5 to 3 years provides a significant opportunity for the utilization of canola meal in cost-effective feed formulations," Onda stated.
“This project provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate canola meal in a new light," said Ivan Tankovski, Onda’s Director of Nutrition. "The digestibility and benchtop studies showed promising results, and we are now eagerly anticipating the results from the next trial to complete the picture."
