The AFRF Aquatic Feed Attractant Seminar Held at DDC

On June 26, 2023, the "AFRF·Aquaculture Feed Attractant Workshop" was successfully held at Chengdu Dadi Hank Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (DDC). This workshop focused on specialized research into animal feed regulation within the aquaculture industry and was jointly organized by DDC and the Sichuan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Animal Feed Regulation. Building on the theme of the inaugural AFRF·2023 Animal Feed Regulation Symposium held on May 17—“Focusing on Animal Feed Regulation to Make Aquaculture Better”—the meeting featured extensive and in-depth discussions on the current state and cutting-edge developments in aquatic feed attractant technology, as well as insights into product applications, technical challenges, and industry pain points.

Professor Chen Daiwen, Deputy Director of the Expert Committee at the Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Feed Regulation and Control Technology, along with Professor Ye Yuantu from Soochow University (a member of the Expert Committee), Dr. Yu Miao, Dr. Lü Jirong, and DDC’s R&D technical staff, attended the seminar. The meeting was chaired by Professor Bao Qingbin, Deputy General Manager of DDC. Renowned expert in the aquaculture field, Professor Ye Yuantu, delivered a keynote speech, while Dr. Yu Miao shared insights into DDC’s and the Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Feed Regulation and Control Technology’s ongoing research on animal feed regulation and aquatic attractants. Attendees—including technical personnel and experts—engaged in an extensive interactive discussion on technologies related to aquatic attractants.

Professor Ye Yuantu is a seasoned, practice-oriented expert in aquatic technology in China. As the Vice Chairman of the Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Feed Professional Committee under the Chinese Society of Fisheries, he has dedicated himself to researching aquatic animal nutrition and feed formulation techniques. He frequently visits aquaculture farms and feed companies to conduct cutting-edge scientific studies. At this seminar, he shared detailed insights—based on his extensive firsthand experience and frontline knowledge—on the application of common attractants, such as small peptides and lipids, in aquatic feeds, as well as their impact on feeding behaviors of aquatic animals and their overall attractant efficacy. Additionally, he provided a clear and insightful analysis comparing the differences between aquatic and livestock/crop feed formulations, explored methods for evaluating attractant effectiveness, and discussed the practical philosophy behind applying feed additives in aquatic diets. He particularly emphasized that attracting aquatic animals should be integrated with strategies aimed at safeguarding health and promoting growth.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Chen Daiwen, Deputy Director of the Technical Expert Committee at the Sichuan Provincial Research Center for Animal Feed Intake Regulation Engineering Technology, summarized the seminar. He first expressed his appreciation for the work conducted by Chengdu Dadi Hank and the center in the field of animal feed intake regulation, and extended gratitude to Professor Ye for taking the time to attend the "AFRF·Aquaculture Feed Attractant Seminar" and deliver the keynote speech. Furthermore, Professor Chen underscored the critical importance of regulating animal feed intake from multiple perspectives, including animal physiology, farming efficiency, and animal health. He also outlined the three key stages in the evolution of animal feed attractant research, emphasizing that unraveling the mechanisms underlying feed intake regulation—and adopting a holistic approach that integrates animal physiology, nutrition, and dietary balance—will be the primary focus of future research efforts. Additionally, he highlighted the vital role of establishing a comprehensive database of feed ingredient intake indices, a responsibility entrusted to all researchers dedicated to advancing this field. Finally, Professor Chen encouraged frontline technicians to remain steadfast in their commitment, building upon their current achievements while striving for continuous improvement and breakthroughs. He urged them to proceed steadily, one step at a time, confident that such perseverance will not only drive ongoing advancements in feed intake regulation technology but also enable them to contribute their expertise and passion to make livestock farming even more sustainable and prosperous.