SAA Newsletter Delivered Monthly to Your Inbox
Join Today
Understanding relevant issues is intended to create forward-thinking and commercially replicable solutions that support the growth of aquaculture production and the profitability of producers. By always keeping operational improvement at the forefront of our minds, SAA funds research that puts the dollars back in the pocket of the producer.
Three main pillars of solutions drive SAA to prioritize the producer, so they may benefit from soy inclusion in their aquaculture diets.
What products or byproducts are most effective as feed ingredients? How can we improve their nutritional values to make them a more desirable input?
What processes and operational technologies can be implemented, designed, or improved to make soy inclusion in aquaculture more practical and increase aquaculture producers' profitability?
What species can most benefit from soy inclusion, or how can we improve nutritional values to make soy an ideal solution for all?
For 2026, SAA’s Aquaculture Industry Advisory Team, a committee of practicing aquaculture nutritionists and leading aquafeed formulators, has selected the following 4 applied research initiatives that seek to benefit the economic needs of both soybean and aquaculture producers.
This committee reviews submissions with an eye toward selecting those that best examine soy as a protein source that reduces feed expenses while enhancing aqua-livestock performance, all while employing due scientific rigor. The 2026 Request for Proposals identified shrimp, salmon, trout, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish among priority species for research.
At completion of research, each project will be summarized and results released for review.
EFFECTS OF HEAT TREATMENT AND OTHER PROCESSES FOR SOYBEAN MEAL ON PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP PERFORMANCE
Principal Investigator D. Allen Davis, Ph.D.
Auburn University
The global shrimp industry relies heavily on Pacific white shrimp as the dominant species, and the U.S. is one of its biggest importers. There is substantial opportunity to influence feed formulations for producing countries through demonstration of effective soy-based ingredients processed in various ways. Many soy products have demonstrated efficacy as aquafeed, but the effects of heat treatment intensity on nutritional content for PWS performance are poorly understood. This project will evaluate the effects of processing on soy ingredient optimization for potential expansion of U.S. soy utilization in aquaculture.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SOYBEAN MEAL-BASED PRECISION NUTRITIONAL STRATEGY FOR LARVAL TO JUVENILE LARGEMOUTH BASS
Principal Investigator Timothy Bruce, Ph.D.
Auburn University
Substantial work has been done to optimize soy products for commercially important aquaculture species in the U.S., such as salmonids and catfish; however, limited work has been similarly conducted for largemouth bass, an emerging finfish species. Work that has been done has focused mainly on fingerling to grow-out stages, with limited study of the larval to juvenile stages. This project seeks to develop a precision nutritional feeding strategy to maximize inclusion of solvent-extracted and enzyme-treated soy meal in larval to juvenile LMB diets.
ACCELERATING SOY-OPTIMIZED SHRIMP FEED ADOPTION THROUGH MIDWEST GROWER INCENTIVES
Principal Investigator Jackson Kimle
Midland Co.
Shrimp is the most-consumed seafood in the U.S., but the vast majority of it is imported. This creates opportunity for domestic aquaculture production that is scalable, cost-competitive, and environmentally responsible. Feed cost is the largest operating expense in shrimp farming and is a primary constraint to expanded production. This project proposes to increase the use of soy-optimized, commercially available feeds among up to 10 early-adopting Midwest shrimp producers, by providing up to $10,000 in feed support to offset costs during their initial year of operation. In return, the farms will document feed conversion ratio and feed cost per pound of gain metrics.
GUAR GUM INCLUSION IN HIGH-SOY DIETS FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS TO OPTIMIZE FISH PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION PROFITABILITY IN A RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM
Principal Investigator Rebecca Lochmann, Ph.D.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
In intensive systems such as RAS, heavy fecal production from undigested feed components can cause water quality problems that can contribute to reduced fish performance — so effective solids removal is critical for optimal function. One way to increase compactness and size of fecal pellets for easier removal is to add binders to feed. This project will determine the performance of largemouth bass high-soy diets in combination with guar gum as a binder to accomplish effective solids removal and enhance system profitability.
We update our research priorities with input from stakeholders in the industry, and understanding of current industry trends and pain points. By involving a committee of practicing nutritionists from leading aquaculture feed companies, we are able to connect project outcomes directly with the value chain and provide practical benefits to aquaculture producers. For 2025, we have four key objectives in mind:
We strive to support projects that demonstrate commercial application of soy products in aquaculture, and how the producer can realize more profit by using soy as a solution.
We support concepts that incentivize the growth of domestic aquaculture and new technologies that improve the practices that producers employ in aquaculture production.
We seek to analyze the environmental footprint of soy-based and marine-ingredient aquafeeds for commercially relevant species, and explore the impact on sustainability certification labels for U.S. seafood.
The Soy Aquaculture Alliance's annual Request for Proposals (RFP) are open and seeking to fund research projects and innovative proposals. SAA prioritizes expanding the domestic aquaculture industry and increasing the use of U.S. soy-based feed. The deadline for submission is January 30, 2026. To request an RFP, please provide your contact information.
