To help customers manage the risk of early mortality syndrome (EMS) on their shrimp farms and improve profitability, Cargill's animal nutrition business has launched the SmartShield™ program, a holistic approach combining specialized feed and technical services proven to combat the disease and increase production by an average of 30 percent.
Outbreaks of EMS, which is caused by certain strains of the bacteria Vibrio, have caused mortality rates as high as 100 percent and is devastating production in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Mexico.
The new SmartShield™ program has three components:
1. On-Farm risk assessment using a specialized tool that provides customized reports including specific biosecurity and farm management recommendations to reduce disease risk
2. Targeted feed solutions with advanced nutrition including a functional additives package delivered through a complete feeding program that improves growth performance and boosts the shrimp immunity to increase survival
3. Specialized technical support package includes on-site performance evaluation tools and rapid diagnostics in water quality and disease resulting in early detection and preventative recommendations saving time and money.
"Disease is one of the major causes of low farm productivity and loss of revenue," said Ryan Lane, global aquaculture technology director. "Our experience has shown us that targeting only one aspect of production is not enough. A holistic approach – improved biosecurity, a specialized feeding program and customized technical services for ongoing disease prevention and management – is best for effectively reducing disease outbreaks on the farm."
The SmartShield™ program is the result of two years of research at Cargill's Global Animal Nutrition Innovation Center to design and select the best possible combination of additives and nutrients for promoting growth performance and animal survival.
Cargill's animal nutrition business offers a range of compound feed, premixes, feed additives, supply chain and risk management solutions, software tools and animal nutrition expertise that is unmatched in the industry. www.Cargill.com
