Commission of Conservation
CANADA
TEE ON FISHERIES, GAME AND
PUR-BEARING ANIMALS
Utilization of Fish Waste
in Canada
BY
J. B. FEILDING
OTTAWA 1918
Commission of Conservation
Constituted under "The Conservation Act," 8-9 Edward VIL, chap. 27, 1909,
and amending acts, 9-10 Edward VII, chap. 4$, 1910, and
8-4 George V., chap. 12, 1913
Chairman:
SIR CLIFFORD SIFTON, K.C.M.G.
Members:
DR. HOWARD MURRAY, Dalhousie University, Halifax. j^w^n
DR. CECIL C. JONES, Chancellor, University of New Brunswick, Fredencton.
MR. WILLIAM B. SNOWBALL, Chatham, N.B.
HON. HENRI S. BELAND, M.D., M.P., St. Joseph-de-Beauce Que.
MR W. F. TYE, Past-President, Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, Montreal
DR. FRANK D. ADAMS, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, McGill University,
R P. CHOQUETTE, St. Hyacinthe, Que., Professor, Seminary of
St. Hyaninthe and Memb.er of Faculty, Laval University.
MR. EDWAU> GpniER.vSt. Laurent, Que.
DR. JAMES W. 'ROBERTSON, C.M.G,,. Ottawa.
HON SENATOR WipiAjtfCAMfeRrtN EDWARDS, Ottawa.
MR. CHAiyk? AvMfeGbaUtPehibroker Ont -
SIR EDMUND B. OSLER, M.P., Toronto. -r nrnntft
- IT ^S^or^sS ^erWroronto. Toronto.
of Saskatchewan.
DR. HENRYM. TORY, President, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
MR. JOHN PEASE BABCOCK, Victoria, B.C.
Members ex-omcio:
HON T. A CRERAR, Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa.
HON ARTHUR MEIGHEN, Minister of the Interior, Ottawa.
HON. MARTIN BURRELL, Minister of Mines, Ottawa.
HON. AUBIN E. ARSENAULT, Premier, Prince Edward Island.
HON. ORLANDO T. DANIELS, Attorney-General, Nova Scotia.
HON E. A. SMITH, Minister of Lands and Mines, New Brunswick.
HON. JULES ALLARD, Minister of Lands and Forests, Quebec.
HON G H. FERGUSON, Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines, Ontario.
HOK THOMAS H. JOHNSON, Attorney-General, Manitoba.
Minister of RaUway, and Telephone,
HON. T. D. PATTULLO, Minister of Lands, British Columbia.
Assistant to Chairman, Deputy Head:
Ma. JAMES WHITE.
Commission of Conservation
CANADA
a
COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, GAME AND
PUR-BEARING ANIMALS
Utilization of Fish Waste
in Canada
BY
J. B. FEILDING
OTTAWA 1918
Sv
c
Foreword
An investigation into the subject of the utilization of fish waste in
Canada was undertaken for the Commission of Conservation by Mr.
J. B. Feilding, who was authorized on October 2, 1916, to 'undertake
work of an experimental character to determine the possibility of pro-
ducing stock food and various valuable by-products from fish' caught in
the Great lakes. It was at first proposed to conduct the experiments
on Georgian bay, but, for various reasons, it was decided that
Port Dover, on lake Erie, would be more suitable. The investigation
covered a period of two months and was made at the latter place. The
report which follows is Mr. Feilding's account of what was accomplished.
The figures regarding cost of production appended to the report under
the heading "Approximate Costs" were supplied at a later date by Mr.
Feilding. ^ . ,
The Commission wiiHeff to express its appreciation of the assistance
rendered .fcy,: ajid: eDUJtdsiefe jieceWed from, Hon. F. G. Macdiarmid,
Minister*^" Pifbli'c' Works", 'Ontario, the late Mr. A. Sheriff, Deputy
Minister of Game and Fisheries, Ontario, Mr. D. McDonald, Superin-
tendent of Game and Fisheries, Ontario; from the following members
of the sta^ff of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Mr. J. H. Gris-
dale, Director, Dr. Frank T. Shutt, Assistant Director and Dominion
Chemist; Mr. E. S. Archibald, Dominion Animal Husbandman and
Mr. F. C. Elford, Dominion Poultry Husbandman. The Commission
is also indebted to Prof. J. W. Bain, B.A. Sc., of Toronto University,
for the use of his laboratory.
JAMES WHITE,
Assistant to Chairman, and Deputy Head
Ottawa, April 24, 1918.
EXCHANGE
Stjrrie.'of the 'Refasp,\irrknh which Valuable Material was Secured, Port Dover, Ont.
Rendering Room where the Fish Waste was Treated to Separate the Valuable
Oil Content, Port Dover, Ont.
T
Utilization of Fish Waste in Canada
By
J. B. FEILDING
HE utilization of fish scrap in agriculture has been i?V vogue for
centuries in many maritime countries'. * It'is'^aid that the Indians,
before the advent of white men; tis^d Jar^g i quaj&ljttei for- fertiliz-
ing purposes in this country. While sewing the British Government in
the Malay States some twenty years ago, I found it the common practice
to make use of fish, both as a fertilizer for the soil and a food for pigs,
in many of the Chinese villages having access to large fishing areas.
These practices had been handed down for generations. In the Shetland
isles and west coast of Scotland, I have known surplus fish to be fed to
both sheep and pigs. Doubtless, in these days, there is no surplus.
As for America, we hear of a fish-rendering factory being erected as
far back as 1850 on Shelter island, New York, but, in all probability,
the products manufactured were only oil and fertilizer; and, in fact, so
far as this continent is concerned, fish scrap is converted only into
fertilizer, except otherwise, perhaps, in a very small way.
It is in Germany we have to look for knowledge of the early using of
fish waste as live-stock feed, and it was in that country, some eighteen
years ago I studied the problem myself, though my work was entirely
confined at that time to the manufacture of fish-waste products. Much
useful investigation since that time has been done on the European
continent and also in England.
In Germany, we find Lehmann stated in 1892, that fish meal ranks
with meat meal and that laboratory results show that 98.6 per cent of the
protein is digestible. Fink, in 1896, stated that he finished off steers
on fish meal with other feeds, giving them 3 Ibs. per day each, and as a
result he obtained a gain of 303 Ibs. in 90 days. Schenk, in 1903, con-
ducted a very exhaustive series of experiments and, with other investiga-
tors, came to the conclusion that herbivorous live-stock were able to
make better use of the protein in fish meal than they were of protein
of vegetable origin. These investigators found fish meal universally an
economic feed of very high value and that it left no taint with either
milk, butter, bacon or eggs when fed in reasonable quantities on the farm.
Martinelli, as reported in the Journal of the International Institute of
Agriculture, states that animals fed on fish meal made more rapid gains
than on meat meal, and not only that, but they were of superior quality.
9S5CG9
4 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION
The results of an interesting experiment conducted at the Agricul-
tural College at Seal Hayne are reported in the Journal of the Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries (England), 1914. In one of the experiments,
it is pointed out that the substitution of fish meal for various other foods
fed to pigs resulted in increased profits amounting in one series to 42
per cent, and in another to 94 per cent, notwithstanding the fact that
the ration, was higher in cost.. In another experiment, fish meal was fed
to cattle without any hatftifuf results.
The ration? .of- fish meal of North Sea origin as recommended by
several'duthoritieVarei. for.' cattle, 2 Ibs. per 1,000 Ibs. live weight; pigs,
$ ft>. per 100 Ibs. live weight; sheep, to \ lb. per 200 Ibs. live weight;
while poultry can assimilate a ration containing 10 per cent fish meal.
From my own observations over a period of some twenty years, I
can testify to its general use in Europe without harm to any of the usual
live-stock on the farm. I have, personally, for many years used meals
(compounded) for the raising of fish in fish-breeding establishments
with the most satisfactory results.
By far the most important modern contribution to literature on the
subject of the use of fish meal as a feed is contained in United States
Agricultural Bulletin No. 378, the work of Mr. F. C. Weber, to whom we
are greatly indebted. Mr. Weber appears to have collected abundant
evidence as to the suitability and economic use of fish meal as a farm
live-stock feed. He gives the following as the average analysis of some
six meals used in his experiments:
Per cent
Water 4.74
Ash 16.68
Total nitrogen 9.68
Protein 60.50
Fat 14.56
Crude fibre , 0.61
Salt 5.78
In Mr. Weber's conclusion, he statep that he is justified in saying that
fish meal 'is a very effective supplement to a grain ration for pigs.
In this experiment, fish meal was superior to tankage in all
comparisons.' Dairy cows fed on a ration of fish meal compared with cows
fed on a similar ration in which fish meal was replaced by cotton-seed
meal, gave a greater yield of milk, but it contained a lower percentage
of butter fat. However, the total amount of fat obtained was ap-
proximately the same in both cases.
Mr. I. W. Turrentine, of the United States Bureau of Soils, has,
during the last few years, published the results of some interesting and
UTILIZATION OF FISH WASTE 5
very valuable investigations relative to the utilization of fish waste as
a fertilizer. In one Bulletin, No. 50, United States Department of
Agriculture, he re-affirms what many other investigators of agricultural
economy have stated, namely:
'It should be pointed out here that, with such fertilizing materials
as dried blood, tankage, cotton-seed meal and fish scrap, it is better
agricultural practice to feed these to stock than to apply
them direct to the soil. It can be taken as thoroughly well established
that both the nitrogen and the phosphoric acid, after performing their
r61e in the life processes of the adult animal, are eliminated. Then the
high food value of these rich foods is utilized and at the same time the
fertilizing elements are still available for use on the growing crops.'
QUANTITY OF FISH WASTE IN CANADA
With regard to the availability of fish waste in Canada, I am only
in a position to offer an estimate, but, after conversing with many in the
fishing industry, I feel sure I am not over-estimating when I place the
quantity at something like 250,000 tons a year.
A few examples of waste maybe useful as illustrating my assumption.
It is stated authoritatively that it requires 88 fos. of salmon on the
Pacific coast to fill 48 one-pound cans; the balance, about 46 per cent,
is waste. In the British Columbia salmon packing industry alone, it
is estimated there is annually some 20,000 tons of waste. In the lobster
packing industry, the percentage of waste is 75 per cent. In the Atlantic
dry-fish curing industry, 45 per cent is waste. On the Great lakes,
44 per cent, of the total annual catch is waste.
Fishermen generally will inform one that, of the total catch of all
species of fish caught at sea or on lake, 25 per cent consists of fish of
no market value, and, further, of the remaining 75 per cent, an additional
25 per cent can be deducted as waste on gutting for market. In the
halibut fishery, the head is the only waste brought ashore and it is
estimated to be one-sixth of the weight of the 'cleaned' fish. It will
be readily understood that, whatever the quantity of waste is, it is
colossal.
The outstanding question, then, is how much of this waste is econom-
ically collectable and convertible. This is a factor for further investiga-
tion.
Obviously, the chief points of collection will be found on the two
sea coasts.
PREPARATIONS FOR EXPERIMENTING
It was thought wise so late in the year (October) to commence
investigations on the waste originating in the inland waters, where, it is
6 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION
estimated, there is probably 8,000 to 10,000 tons of waste, an amount
of material now being buried annually, or otherwise destroyed. With
this in view, I got into communication with the Deputy Minister of
Game and Fisheries for Ontario, who kindly offered me every facility.
Before commencing my work, I had to ascertain whether the facilities
on Georgian bay or lake Erie would best be suited to my work. It
was decided to open a small research station at Port Dover on lake
Erie, in view of the fact that I had not only natural gas at my disposal,
but also the all important factor a certainty of supply of such raw
material as I required.
After selecting a site, I proceeded to ascertain what apparatus was
available. In this I found great difficulty, for, on all sides, I was told
nothing could be made or even adapted to my purpose for several weeks,
and possibly months. I had, therefore, to content myself with four
ordinary feed cookers which, of course, could only be operated at a
maximum temperature of 212 F., so far as digesting was concerned.
For drying purposes I had to content myself with direct gas-fire heat
without circulation, and for moulding, I had to use an Enterprise chopper.
All other apparatus was on similar makeshift lines.
However, I had to make the best of the apparatus available and I
am glad to say that I found it fairly capable of showing me approximately
what was obtainable from the waste in a qualitative way.
On arrival at Port Dover, I had some difficulty in leasing suitable
premises, but eventually secured part of an old tannery very much out
of repair. In this, I erected what plant and machinery I could collect
in the time and I subsequently engaged a man and boy to assist me in
the work.
I then entered into an arrangement with the fishermen to supply me
free of cost with such waste as I required, and, as a result, I took in for
treatment and research about half a ton of raw material every other day.
CHARACTER OF FEEDS MANUFACTURED
The waste I found very different from the material which I had had
previous experience with in other countries, particularly on the North
sea, and necessitated much more careful treatment than my make-shift
apparatus permitted. However, with certain data ki my posses-
sion, I proceeded to compound various live-stock feeds along the lines
I had previously operated, some eighteen years ago, in Germany. These
feeds were used experimentally at the Central Experimental Farm at
Ottawa.* I fear I was unable, with the plant at my disposal, to extract
* See p. 14 for feeding experiments conducted at the Central Experimental Farm.
UTILIZATION OF FISH WASTE 7
as much oil as I should have liked from the waste, which may result in
the meal being too rich in fats, and further, such being the case, the feeds
may change chemically through the generation of fatty acids, and thus
become unpalatable. There is no doubt, however, that the material
could, with suitable machinery, be made into exceedingly valuable feeding
materials for the farm, if the raw material, namely, fish waste, can in
every case, be obtained fresh.
In my opinion, this fish meal can be made at a cost that would
admit of a fair profit to the manufacturer, assuming the waste were
obtained free or at nominal cost.
From former experience, I have satisfied myself that fish meal, as
such, being the dried residue with all freely-extracted oil withdrawn,
must be compounded with 'mill offals' and other materials in order to
prevent it chemically breaking down within reasonable time. The meal
appears to be somewhat hygroscopic alnd, owing to its animal origin, it
is easily influenced by climatic conditions.
The commodities manufactured must vary according to the type of
waste used, and the purpose to which the finished product is to be put.
No definite formulae at this stage of the research can be stated as ap-
plicable to this fresh-water fish waste, until the keeping and feeding
qualities have been tried but over an extended period.
There is no doubt, however, that satisfactory results can be eventual-
ly attained, but much more experience and further research must be
applied, since this type of waste varies in composition almost every
month of the year.
The types of feeds I compounded were:
1. Cattle meal, 75 per cent fish meal.
2. Hog feed (cooked), 75 per cent fish meal.
3. Poultry scratch feed, 10 per cent fish meal.
4. Dog biscuit (baked), 25 per cent fish meal.
I am much indebted to Dr. Frank T. Shutt, the Dominion Chemist,
for his chemical analyses of both raw material and other products of
my work. The analyses forwarded by Dr. Shutt are as under:
COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION
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Grinding"and Compounding Fish Waste Products, Pcft'Dbver'/Ont
Laboratory, Port Dover, Ont.
UTILIZATION OF FISH WASTE 9
I estimate the market values of these feeds, in normal times, to be
as follows: the cattle feed, $40 per ton; hog feed, $50 per ton; poultry
feed, $45 per ton and the dog biscuit, $100 per ton.
For comparison it may be of interest to quote recent prices (April,
1917) given me by some leading manufacturers and dealers of
other protein concentrates now used by farmers in this country:
Protein Price
Linseed cake meal 40 per cent $54 f.o.b., Toronto
Cotton cake meal 20 to 24 per cent $40 "
Tankage 60percent $65 "
Besides the experimental feeding being conducted by the Central
Experimental Farm, I, myself , tried a ton on my own farm. Being absent
from home on this investigation, I could not conduct the experiment on
the usual lines, but, in any case, my chief object was to ascertain if this
fresh- water fish waste was as attractive to live-stock as salt-water waste of
which I have had previous experience. As a result, I have no hesitation in
saying that all stock fed on this material properly compounded did well
and relished it. I fed it to 20 head of cattle, 20 head of pigs and about
100 poultry. Further, I fattened off one 'beast' on fish meal and bran
and sold him at 8| cents per pound on the hoof.
I am, therefore, satisfied that fresh-water fish waste properly made
up is a suitable and economic protein and fat concentrate for all farm
live-stock.
OIL
So much for the utilization of the dry residue of fish waste. The
other economic product obtained is oil. This I found varied both in
quantity and quality in relation to the type of waste brought into port.
Some days the waste would consist chiefly of lake herring viscera,
while on others, of whole fish, chiefly eel pouts (lota maculosa) and small
blue pickerel (stizostedion canadense) that had been 'bridled' ; sometimes
the waste was a mixture of all. So, in order to get some idea of the rela-
tive values and types of oil, I divided the waste into two classes, namely,
fish guts and mixed waste.
In the boiling process, I found that I obtained oil of a lighter quality
as to colour, freedom from strong smell and purity if the material was
kept at 212 F. for one hour, keeping it well disintegrated by constant
agitation during the whole period. By continuing the boiling, I found
the oil became charred and got darker until it boiled itself at 361 F. I
conducted some refining and bleaching tests but got only a few really
satisfactory results owing to the constant varying of the oil origin, how-
10 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION
ever careful I was. This, however, can eventually be entirely overcome
by storage and blending when handled on a larger scale. I obtained the
best results by the Fullers earth and sulphuric acid method.
Had I the apparatus, I should have much liked to have tried the
cold extraction process and thus get a much finer oil which could prob-
ably be used for culinary purposes.
One of the principal problems associated with the manufacture of
fish waste into economic products is its collection. In order that a report
on this subject may be submitted, a port survey should be made; for it
is obvious every district has its own peculiarities. Canneries, of course,
could be easily grouped and a plant erected and operated co-operatively.
In some cases, it might be economic to have a floating digester and dryer,
leaving the subsequent making up of the feeds to a land factory.
NEED FOR PROTEIN CONCENTRATES
As to the market for these feeds, I need hardly point out the in-
creasing scarcity of protein concentrates in this country, and further,
such feeds as do exist are controlled in foreign countries. It, therefore,
only requires a series of demonstration experiments on a large scale at
the different experimental farms to convince the farmer of the value of
this new type of feed. I think there is little doubt that this standard
concentrate can be put on the market at a less cost than linseed oil
cake meal, the commonly used concentrate on the farm.
PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE IN OTHER COUNTRIES
The process of manufacture of these feeds as carried out in other
countries is as follows : Fish waste in absolutely fresh condition alone must
be taken, and, if the fish be large, they are cut up by machinery before
being passed into the digester. There are many types of digesters, but
I prefer those in which the temperature can be carefully controlled and
in which disintegrates are employed. From this machine, part of the
011 is extracted and the solid matter with a certain quantity of oil is
then passed on to a press, where further oil is taken. The quantity of
oil left must be governed by the feed you contemplate making subse-
quently. After the solid matter, now pressed, is emptied from the press,
it is passed into a dryer. The type of dryer, if rotary, should be one in
which there is no fear of the dust coming in contact with the fire, since
it is very inflammable. From the dryer, the material is put either into
storage for subsequent compounding during the winter months, or is
passed through a mill and ground into a fine meal. If a vacuum dryer
is used, great care must be taken to dry the material to the safety point.
UTILIZATION OF FISH WASTE 11
The actual degree of dryness of each type of waste used will need careful
chemical investigation, for it has been found that it has an important
bearing on the digestibility of the protein, an important factor in
marketing.
Once in the form of a meal, it is ready for compounding into the
various feeds. These mixed compounds are then put into a horizontal
mixer, steam jacketted, then passed into a pug mill. The face plate of
the pug mill is cut so as to permit the dough to pass out in the form of
spaghetti, only without a hollow core. This wormlike material passes
on to a wire conveyer through a drying or baking oven. On emerging
from the oven, the material is broken up to a size of J in. to \ in. in length.
It is then ready for cooling and packing for transportation to the con-
sumer.
I need hardly point out that much care and experience is necessary
in the manufacture of these feeds, for we have to bear in mind that the
material we are handling is chemically very delicate, and the slightest
mistake in neglecting temperatures, compounding, drying, etc., spells
failure in putting out a digestible food. From my own experience I can
testify to vast quantities of apparently well-made fish feed products
being put on the market with low digestibility and unpalatable to live-
stock.
There still remains much research to be done on the fish oils,
which I am of an opinion can be made extremely valuable. There are
many trades calling for good animal oils of this type that, so far as Canada
is concerned, are compelled to import for want of manufacture m this
country. Besides the necessity for a new source of good animal oil for
domestic use, the drug, soap, paint, leather and other trades demand
considerable quantities of oil of this nature.
From these remarks it will readily be realized that there is much further
work to be done in connection with the fish waste problem : first, a careful
survey as to the economic availability of raw material or fish waste;
second, as to the most efficient type of plant, both on water and land, and
its cost; third, the cost of manufacture of the various feeds and other
products; fourth, the organization of the industry so as to save this
waste and make some use of it; fifth, the fish fertilizer industry, being
so closely allied to the feed industry, should be considered, making use
of kelp and other marine products for the manufacture of 'complete
fertilizers'.
12 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION
APPROXIMATE COSTS
The following description of the plant required and statement of
approximate costs in manufacturing fish waste into stock food and other
useful products was obtained from Mr. J. B. Feilding on February 21,
1918. The figures relating to costs are approximate only and the Com-
mission of Conservation does not hold itself responsible for their accuracy.
I. PLANT
There are three distinct processes of manufacturing fish waste into
fish meal, viz., (a) the continuous, (b) the solvent, (c) the intermittent.
The intermittent process does not destroy the food values of the material
and is most suitable for the manufacture of feed in Canada, although it
has never been used on the Atlantic coast.
Intermittent Process: The plant for manufacturing by the in-
termittent process consists of an engine, boiler and several digester units :
Digesters can be had in any capacity from 2 to 6 tons each, but those
with a capacity of 4^ tons are most economical.
The minimum-sized economic plant consists of 2 digester units and
will treat 32 tons of fish waste in 24 hours. It can be erected anywhere
in Canada, less duty and freight, for approximately $18,000 to $20,000.
This does not include the cost of the building to house the plant,
which would cost from $8,000 to $10,000 additional.
The same engine and boiler would carry an additional two units,
each of which would cost from $4,000 to $5,000, f.o.b. point of shipment,
but exclusive of the cost of installing and connecting.
Oil Refining Plant: For refining the oil produced, a filter press,
an autoclave, a scourer, a cod-liver-oil outfit and a few sundries, are
needed. Such a plant would cost $4,000 to $6,000, and it would cost
12,000 more to erect it.
Plant for Compounding Stock Food: All that is needed for this is
a good mixer, bagger and weighing machine costing, say, $1,000 alto-
gether.
rM^Summary: The foregoing estimated costs may be summarized as
follows:
Digester plant $18,000 to $20,000
Building for same 8,000 to 10,000
Oil-refining plant 4,000 to 6,000
Building for same 2,000 to 2,000
Compounding plant 1,000 to 1,000
Total estimated cost $33,000 to $39,000
II. MANUFACTURING COSTS
Cost of operating a 2-unit plant for 12 hours:
16 tons of fish waste at $2.00 $32.00
Labour: engineer at $7.00; 2 labourers at
$2.50; and 1 boy at $1.00 a day 13.00
Coal: 4 tons at $10.00 40.00
Depreciation 5.00
Incidentals 5 . 00
Total cost of treating 16 tons $95 . 00
UTILIZATION OF FISH WASTE 13
The 16 tons of fish waste treated produces 6^ tons of fish meal
(concentrate) which readily sold last year on the Buffalo market at $80.00
a ton, and 200 gals, of crude oil which also sold last year on the same
market at 70 cents a gallon. The value of the products would thus be:
6} tons of fish meal at $80.00 $520.00
200 gals, crude oil at 70 cents 140.00
$660.00
In other words, for products which cost $95.00 to produce, $660.00
would be realized.
It must be remembered, however, that these products are perishable
if left in their crude state, and their value varies from day to day accord-
ing to their quality. The meal, therefore, has to be specially treated
subsequently.
Meal for Cattle: The basis of this is the fish meal (concentrate)
which may be assumed to have a protein content of 60 to 70 per cent.
In fact, most of that made at Port Dover had a higher protein content
than 60 per cent. The cattle meal, however, requires a protein content
of only 40 per cent, and the fish meal, therefore, has to be diluted to
bring the protein content down to this.
The ingredients added to the fish meal (concentrate)* constitute 50
per cent, of the finished feed. They cost about $2.25, the labour of
mixing a ton costs $1.00, and bags $2.00.
The approximate nutritive value of this should be protein, 40 per
cent; fat, 10 per cent.
Its present market price ranges from $65.00 to $70.00 a ton.
Hog Meal: Hog feed with about 75 per cent, fish meal (concentrate)
as a basis, can be made at a cost of about $19.25 a ton. Its food value is:
protein, 50 per cent; fat, 12 per cent; and its present market price is $90.00
a ton.
*During the experimental work at Port Dover, Mr. Feilding produced 2^ tons of
cattle, hog and poultry feed. In addition to other ingredients, he used 125 Ibs. feed
flour, 1385 Ibs. middlings, 140 Ibs. bran, 1 bbl. salt, 5 bags hydrated lime and 1 bbl.
molasses.
Feeding Tests with Fish Meals
By
J. H. GRISDALE, B. AGR.,
Director, Experimental Farms, Ottawa.
Fish meals for cattle and swine made at the experimental plant at
Port Dover were sent to the Experimental Farm, at Ottawa, some months
after the regular winter feeding experimental work had commenced. As
nearly all available animals had been on some experimental feeds or
treatment, they had thus acquired a lack of equality which prohibited the
taking over of this experimental work and starting them immediately
on fish meal, or on any other form of meal. For this reason, only a
very limited number of animals could be selected to test the fish meals
and the results of these tests were consequently of comparatively little
value.
Five pure bred Ayrshire cows were selected for the testing of the
dairy feed. These cows were all milking exceptionally well on the
following rations : Clover hay, corn ensilage, mangels and meal composed
of bran 4 parts, gluten 2 parts, dried distillers grains 2 parts, oil cake 1
part. The intention of this trial was to gradually accustom these
animals to fish meal mixed with their regular meal ration and as soon as
they acquired this taste, to replace gluten and oil cake with the fish
meal for three weeks and then to revert to the original ration. The
results were to be compiled from the last two weeks of each of the three
periods of feeding. Although the cows were given a very small quantity
of this fish meal each day for over two weeks, they persisted in refusing
their grain altogether or picked out only the part which contained the
least portion of this meal. Since these cows were both losing weight and
decreasing in milk production, we finally cut them off this test. Un-
doubtedly, the cows could have been starved to a ration containing fish
meal, but this was certainly not practicable.
The test of the fish meals for hogs was conducted under the same
unfavourable circumstances as to animals available. However, two
small lots of Berkshires were available for this work. One lot was fed
the standard ration composed of shorts and corn, equal parts, plus 10
per cent, of fish meal ; while the second lot had the same rations with an
additional allowance of skim milk. Unfortunately, these two lots were
not of exactly the same age, hence definite deductions could not be drawn.
14
UTILIZATION OF FISH WASTE 15
However, the older pigs fed the fish meal without any skim milk, did
fully as well as the younger pigs which were fed skim milk in addition to
the fish meal and standard basic ration.
We have outlined for the summer experimental feeding a comparison
of fish meal with digester tankage and skim milk in the feeding of newly-
weaned pigs and we trust to have some figures of value before the com-
pletion of this trial.
However, may I draw your attention to the fact that the two lots of
meal for swine given two different laboratory numbers appear to have
been badly mixed in the shipping and, consequently, we will not know
definitely whether it is the No. 10 or the No. 12 hog feed which is being
given. There seems, however, not to be a great deal of difference in the
analysis of these two meals and I trust such differences will not cause
any marked variation or discrepancies in the test.
THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE
STAMPED BELOW
AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS
WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN
THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY
WILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOURTH
DAY AND TO $1.OO ON THE SEVENTH DAY
OVERDUE.
FEB & 194C
DEC 23 342
'
[; Jan28'4 -j
INTEH-LlSRAf
iY LOAN
LD 21-100m-7,'39(402s' J
Binder
Gaylord Bros., Inc. '
Makers
Stockton. Calif.
IAN. 21. 1908
9650G9
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