AYDIN, TURKEY — The US Grains Council (USGC) and Aydin Adnan Menderes University’s Faculty of Agriculture have signed a memorandum of understanding that will open a new aquaculture training center in Turkey and study the use of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in rainbow trout rations as part of a feeding trial, the USGC announced April 28.

“This partnership will be essential to beginning our aquaculture engagement in the Turkish market,” said Reece Cannady, assistant regional director for the Middle East and Europe for USGC. “The faculty at Aydin Adnan Menderes are at the forefront of aquaculture research in Turkey, as well as having longstanding experience using distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in fish feeds.”

The rainbow trout market has seen substantial growth – up 30% annually over the last two years. Rainbow trout is viewed as a less expensive alternative to natural catch salmon, and the use of DDGS in the feed can provide a low-cost, high-quality feed alternative for the growing sector.

The USGC, with funds from the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, will donate equipment to be used in a feeding trial conducted at the center investigating DDGS in rainbow trout rations. In addition to the trial, the USGC will bring in Turkish industry representatives to provide education on effectively milling DDGS into pelleted fish feeds.

The feeding trial will continue throughout 2022 and will be followed by a presentation of the results to the Turkish industry. The center will remain open for the next five years as the USGC plans to continue using the equipment to conduct other feeding trials, in addition to providing various training sessions.

The US Grains Council (USGC) and Aydin Adnan Menderes University's Faculty of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding that will result in a new aquaculture training center opening in the country. Ramy H. Taieb, USGC regional director for the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and Reece Cannady, assistant regional director for the Middle East and Europe (third and second from the right), are pictured with university and industry representatives at the signing. Photo courtesy of US Grains Council.