China\'s aquatic production in 2012 continued its growth trend, rising four percent to 58 million tons on aquaculture production gains fueled by domestic demand. China remains the world largest aquaculture producer with total cultured aquatic production accounting for about 70 percent of the world total in recent years, according to the USDA.

USDA raised its forecast of the 2012/13 soybean crush by 10 million bushels this month to 1.57 billion, as lower prices helped to strengthen export outlooks for soybean meal and soybean oil. USDA’s price forecast for soybeans in 2012/13 is lowered 35 cents to $13.55-$15.55 per bushel.

Prices for soybeans and products are all projected lower this month, according to the latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report . The U.S. season-average soybean price range for 2012/13 is projected at $13.55 to $15.55 per bushel, down 35 cents on both ends of the range. The soybean meal price is projected at $440 to $470 per short ton, down 15 dollars on both ends of the range. The soybean oil price range is projected at 49 to 53 cents per pound, down 2 cents on both ends. Global 2012/13 corn production is raised 9.4 million tons with China corn output up 8.0 million tons based on recent estimates from the National Bureau of Statistics. Download the USDA WASDE report for December 11, 2012 from the link below (PDF)

Better understanding of nutritional and functional properties of feed ingredients fuels their uptake

Asian Fisheries Science Journal Vol. 25 (Issue No. 3) is now available online

This publication collates, discusses and summarizes state-of-the-art knowledge on the use as livestock feed (with a chapter on aquafeed) and future availability of co-products from the biofuel industry. The levels at which the co-products could be safely used in livestock diets are also presented. Throughout the book, gaps in knowledge and research topics needed to address them have been identified. These include standardization of product quality to assist ration formulation; testing of new products; development of detoxification procedures; research on micro-algae; and life cycle analysis linked to traditional nutritional appraisal

The Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) is a G20 initiative to enhance food market transparency and encourage coordination of policy action in response to market uncertainty. The initial focus of AMIS is on four grains that are particularly important in international food markets, namely wheat, maize, rice and soybeans.

The ocean’s chemistry and temperature are changing in ways that threaten the livelihoods of those who depend on fish and seafood for all or part of their diets, according to a new report from Oceana

Salmon can play a part in increasing the amount of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids we need by converting short fatty acids from plants to the long, marine omega-3 fatty acids that we want

NOAA and USDA have released a final report entitled, 'The Future of Aquafeeds,' which details progress toward reducing the need for forage fish in aquaculture feeds. The report contains 20 findings and recommendations as well as seven case studies featuring promising research on and examples of alternatives and how they are being used

Total catfish feed delivered in the United States during August 2012 was 73,483 tons, down 27 percent from August 2011, and down 2 percent from the previous month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totaled 68,772 tons, down 25 percent from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and broodfish totaled 4,711 tons, down 43 percent from the corresponding month a year ago.

Rabobank has published a new report looking at the impact of the drought on the food and agriculture industry, and its ultimate implications for rising food prices

FAO Globefish has made available an article by Mr. Izzat H. Feidi which discusses the importance of aquaculture in Arab countries in light of the current fish supply status. The article, Boosting Arab Fish Supply From Off-Shore Cage Aquaculture, highlights different forms of aquaculture. Download the article (PDF) from the link below.

Global coarse grain supplies for 2012/13 are projected 4.0 million tons lower despite higher beginning stocks of corn in the United States and barley in Canada, according to this month's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

The newest edition of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service AADAP Newsletter is now available for download

Now available for download

A weekly update on mycotoxin presence and prevalence in the U.S. and Canada

Recognizing a need to provide a global discussion on the topic of human capital in agriculture, the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) announced the release of a special issue of the journal, International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, devoted to human capital in food and agribusiness. “Global Networks, Global Perspectives and Global Talent” contains 23 essays from top industry executives and leading academics who discuss different approaches to the challenges and solutions in filling the current global talent gap

Despite some initial easing, global grains and oilseeds values were firm during August, underpinned by continued worries about deteriorating US maize and soybeans production prospects as well as shrinking crop expectations in the Black Sea region