November 27, 1996
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Demonstration of a new feed technology to develop fish silage

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, in cooperation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association, will be holding a fish silage demonstration on Friday, November 29 at 3 p.m. at the farm of Mervin Wiseman of North Harbour, Placentia Bay. Mr. Wiseman operates a 300 breeder fox farm.

"I am delighted to see the level of interest in feed self- sufficiency by local farmers," commented Beaton Tulk, minister responsible for agrifoods. "This keenness makes innovations, such as the development of the fish silage process, an integral part of farm feed production in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Each year, thousands of tonnes of fish waste are produced throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. With proper processing, it can become a valuable livestock feed. In the past, fish waste was converted into fish meal. However, with many of the fish meal plants closed, more and more, the fish waste is being dumped. Now, through efforts of farmers and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, a new process is available to create animal feed from fish waste at a low cost.

Fish silage is not a new idea as it has been a popular process since the 1930s in countries such as Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Fish silage is produced by grinding the waste product and then combining it with an acid, such as formic acid. After several weeks of storage, a thick liquid forms which is called fish silage. The silage can be stored unrefrigerated for several years. The product can be fed to fur bearers, swine, sheep, beef and other livestock, and it provides an excellent source of protein, fats and minerals.

Livestock farmers in Newfoundland and Labrador currently spend over $12 million annually for feed. Cereal grains, such as wheat, barley and corn, and protein feeds, such as soybean meal, are imported into this province. The recent termination of the Feed Freight Assistance Program combined with the current high price of grain on the world market has increased the feed cost at the farm dramatically. Farmers are striving to reduce their dependancy on imported feeds by growing their own grain and using systems such as silage making. "This effort towards greater self sufficiency is to be commended," said the minister. "It is through cooperative research between the farmers and government that can make these initiatives a reality."

• Contact:

  Edward O'Reilly
  A/Supervisor, Agricultural Services
  Production and Marketing Division
  (709) 729-6758

  Anna Buffinga
  (709) 729-3750