Vannamei shrimp has become one of the most promising aquaculture commodities in Indonesia. However, feed costs which account for 60-70% of total operational expenses, often pose a major challenge for farmers. Inaccurate feeding can lead to waste and reduced farming efficiency. To address this, the index method offers a practical solution after the blind feeding stage, helping farmers adjust feed amounts based on shrimp needs and pond conditions to reduce costs and maintain productivity.
Let’s explore how to calculate feed using the index method in detail!
Understanding the Feed Index Method
The feed index method determines the amount of feed based on a specific percentage (index), calculated from the shrimp’s age (Day of Culture/DoC), total number of stocked shrimp, and target daily growth (ADG). This method is generally applied from DoC 30 until harvest, with index values typically set at 1.5-2 times the target ADG.
