Crustocean Feeds - System
Crustocean is a Total Quality Concept for the complete production process from the production of raw materials till the feed application on the farm.

Five steps are identified:
	Raw materials Formulation Production Logistics Feeding management

1. Raw Materials

1. Concentrates and premixes are produced at the feed factory of VDS Belgium. All Crustocean feeds are using those concentrates.
   
2. Several marine protein meals are produced under control and in cooperation with VDS:
   • from crustacean origin: Crustocean meal NS45 (from the North Sea shrimp Crangon crangon), Crustocean meal CF60
   • from fish origin: Tuna meal LA68 (high protein, low ash tuna fish meal, produced from the byproducts of tuna for human consumption).
   Marine protein meals are processed at the lowest temparature and shortest drying temperature for optimal digestibility.
   
3. Other ingredients are selected to make the formula complete.
4. Storage of the raw materials at the feed factory: All raw materials are stacked on pallets and isolated from the walls.

2. Formulation

All Crustocean Feeds are formulated by VDS.
Shrimp feeds are formulated for every shrimp farm according to:

• Shrimp species
• Culture conditions: extensive, semi-intensive, intensive, super-intensive.
• Water quality: salinity, temperature, water exchange.
• Stress conditions: high salinity, low salinity, temperature changes between day and night, diseases, high density, high biomass
• Target harvest size
• Feed management: frequency of feeding, utilization of feed trays.

3. Production
Shrimp feeds are produced under supervision of a VDS production manager
Crustocean Feeds are only produced by approved franchise partners
Every batch of feed carries a batch number (production date), which serves as the basis for our trace-ability system
Every batch is checked on the following quality control parameters: moisture content, water leaching, water uptake, granulometry, dust content.

4. Logistics
Packing: All Crustocean Feeds are packed in coated bags or bags with innerliner, to make them semi-waterproof.
Marks: All feeds contain the production date, size and type.
Storage of the feeds at the feed factory: All crustocean Feeds are stacked on pallets and isolated from the walls.

During transport in containers, the container is checked for holes prior to loading.
When transported in boats or trucks, special care should be taken to prevent any contact with rain or water.

Storage at the farm: Some guidelines how to store Crustocean Feeds at the farm, and a suggested feed warehouse design

5. Feeding Management
If requested by the customer/farmer, VDS can assist in the technical management of the farm, with special attention to the feed application. This is to ensure good results with our feeds, which do not only depend on good feed quality, but also on the way they are used in the farm. For an optimum feed utilisation, the following points are important:

1. Good estimation of the shrimp sizes and biomass (survival) by weekly sampling.
   
   
2. Evaluating the feed intake (shrimp’s appetite) which can be influenced by the moulting, the water quality, the availability of natural food
3. Calculation of daily feeding ration according the biomass and the average weight of the crop, using a theortical feeding table
4. Feed distribution: First 2 months, feed can be spread all over the pond. Crumbles mix with water sinks faster and throwing the feed is easier. Do not feed on dirty areas and on the pond wall.
5. Frequency of feeding: Shrimps are continuous intermittent feeders and hence should be fed several times throughout the day. Shrimps need about 3 hours to digest, therefore, ideally, feeding should be done every 3 hours. Frequent feeding of smaller rations also provides better efficiency in nutrient assimilation, and reduces the losses due to leaching of the pellets.
6. Feeder trays: should be used to monitor shrimp's appetite, and make the necessary adjustments in feed ration.

More details about how to control these points is given in the presentation: Feeding management