Aquademia: The Seafood Podcast

Inside the Feed Mill: Building the Future of Sustainable Aquaculture

Episode Summary

Fish feed is one of the most important and complex components of modern aquaculture, influencing farm performance, fish health, production costs and environmental sustainability. Jose Luis Tejedor, CEO of Tejedor Lázaro Group and DIBAQ Aquaculture, explains what happens inside a modern feed mill, from sourcing and formulating ingredients to extrusion, pellet production and quality control. The conversation explores how feed manufacturers are reducing reliance on marine ingredients, incorporating alternatives such as insect meal, algae and bacterial proteins, improving production technology, and responding to growing sustainability requirements. It also looks at where aquaculture nutrition may be headed as the industry develops new species, ingredients and approaches to fish health.

Episode Notes

This episode is sponsored by Undercurrent

Episode Summary 

Aquaculture feed is far more than a mixture of ingredients. A modern feed mill brings together nutrition science, biology, technology, ingredient sourcing and manufacturing expertise to produce feed tailored to the needs of different species and life stages. Jose Luis Tejedor, CEO of the family-owned Tejedor Lázaro Group and DIBAQ Aquaculture, explains how that process works, from nutritionists developing species-specific formulations to the grinding, mixing, extrusion, drying, cooling and coating processes that transform raw materials into precisely sized pellets. The discussion also highlights why feed is such a significant consideration for farmers, affecting production costs, fish growth, health and feeding performance. 

The conversation also explores how aquaculture feed is evolving as the industry looks for more sustainable and efficient ways to produce nutrition for farmed fish. Feed manufacturers are increasingly exploring alternatives to traditional marine ingredients, including insect meal, bacterial proteins, plant-based proteins and algae, while also placing greater emphasis on responsible ingredient sourcing and deforestation-free supply chains. Advances in feed mill technology, sustainability certifications and nutrition research are helping manufacturers improve efficiency while addressing environmental challenges. Looking ahead, Tejedor sees opportunities in developing feeds for new species, supporting fish health in a changing climate and strengthening the role of feed manufacturers as technical partners to farmers. 

Featured Guests 

• Jose Luis Tejedor 
  CEO, Tejedor Lázaro Group and DIBAQ Aquaculture 

Key Topics Covered 

• The role of feed mills in modern aquaculture 
• How species-specific fish feed formulations are developed 
• The process of turning raw ingredients into finished aquaculture feed 
• Ingredient sourcing, quality control and traceability 
• The evolution of fish meal and fish oil use in aquaculture diets 
• Alternative feed ingredients, including insect meal, bacterial proteins, plant proteins and algae 
• Advances in extrusion and feed mill technology 
• Energy efficiency and more sustainable feed manufacturing 
• Sustainability certifications and responsible ingredient sourcing 
• Deforestation-free soy and environmental requirements for feed ingredients 
• The relationship between feed, fish health, farm performance and production costs 
• Future opportunities for aquaculture nutrition and new farmed species 

Key Takeaways 

• Fish feed is highly specialized. Feed formulations must account for differences between species, fish size, freshwater and marine environments, and specific nutritional requirements. 
• Ingredient quality is fundamental. Even advanced equipment and sophisticated formulations cannot compensate for poor-quality raw materials. 
• Aquaculture nutrition is moving beyond traditional marine ingredients. The industry is researching alternatives such as insect meal, bacterial proteins, plant proteins and algae to reduce reliance on fish meal and fish oil. 
• Feed mill technology continues to evolve. Manufacturers can improve production by optimizing existing equipment while also investing in machinery that reduces energy consumption and increases productivity. 
• Sustainability extends beyond the final feed formula. Responsible sourcing, traceability and considerations such as deforestation-free agricultural ingredients are increasingly important to feed manufacturers and their customers. 
• Feed influences more than growth. Nutrition can affect fish health, performance, feeding behavior and ultimately the economics of aquaculture production. 
• Feed manufacturers are becoming technical partners. DIBAQ's approach extends beyond selling feed to providing farmers with nutrition, health and production support. 
• The next generation of aquaculture nutrition will require continued innovation. New species, alternative ingredients, fish health challenges and environmental pressures will all shape future feed development. 

Links and Resources Mentioned 

• DIBAQ Website 
• DIBAQ social channels: X and Facebook 

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