Alternative feeds for the Southern US and other tropical areas

[Gil Romero]

 

I have been delayed in getting started here because the Easter period in Mexico is our most intensive Tilapia sales period from February 15 - April 8th. I have had and have nevertheless, every intention of developing this current "note" much further ASAP. Meantime, I would file this one under Feed Alternatives for aquaculture  but also very strongly under Food Independence/Security for our fellow humans as well.

I would like to very briefly introduce (perhaps to many) an incredible plant native to our Yucatán peninsula, and farther south into Central and South America, called "Chaya". Locally, it is also called Mountain, or sometimes, "Mayan Tree Spinach". It is highly nutritious, tastes great (if you like spinach!) grows like a weed, is droudt resistant, tolerates high temps, and is not very vulnerable at all to pests and plagues which is saying a great deal considering the aggressive/challenging natural environment which exists here in the far south of Mexico.

For an excellent intro on this plant, I would recommend Googling "Wikipedia Chaya" and/or "Yucatán Mountain Tree Spinach". I am sure for the uninitiated, you will be suitably impressed and inspired. I am not sure as yet what the geographic distribution of Chaya is outside of Latina America but I know they are now growing it commercially in Texas, USA and may well be growing it as well in many other tropical and subtropical areas around our planet. With just a basic intro, I think you will agree that this is a valuable resource not only for aquaculturists but also for our other fellow humans.

Here is the URL from a company in Texas that is now commercializing Chaya stateside:
http://www.americanlisted.com/texas_43/garden_house_22/chaya_tree_s...

l
In terms of alternative fish feed, our local university has published (in English) a recent study which found that Chaya can be used effectively as up to a 50% replacement for commercial, fish-meal-based fish feed without altering the extent or speed of growth of fish (Tilapia) in commercial grow-out operations.
http://www.unitus.it/EAAE_2nd_call/papers/8_GASCA_LEYVA.pdf

 Let me say up front that I have no illusions that Chaya will ever make much of an impact in the area of vertically integrated, mega-multinational, commercial feed production. Nor do I see that especially as a desired goal. What I do see however is that this may be a way to help grass-roots, aquaculture and other agricultural producers escape being enslaved (literally) by the costs and profits of those same multi-nationals that increasingly preclude millions annualy from participating, even on a subsistence or hobby level, in this growing and and increasingly important industry.

 

I am sure the Mayan people of the Yucatán, et al,  have been staying healthy on this quite amazing plant for several thousands of years...at least. I am very excited to share this brief introduction with fellow members and hope you will find it of interest both in terms of fish feed empowerment but also in terms of concomitant possibilities for our fellow humans, and aquapons(?) as well.

We welcome all comments always and especially those with any experience with this plant and especially those who may have had some exposure farther a field beyond Latin America. I am sure this plant would thrive in the southern US, Hawaii, much of Africa, and certainly Asia, so let´s put our heads together and see what we can do here to spread the wealth and gift that our Mayan predisessors left us and still today enjoy, shall we?

Saludos cordiales
Ing. Gil Romero
www.TilapiaAcuaculturaYucatan.com

[Gil Romero]

Hola Carey, good idea!

Here´s the thing: We here in Mexico usually start these plants quick and easy from cuttings, They take root in a couple of weeks or even much less, and generally grow quite quickly. In any case, I would be glad to look for an alternative from cuttings for you but getting them to you and past your numerous government watchdogs will likely not be worth the effort.

Here again is the company in Texas that is heavilly involved in Chaya and there may, by now, be other venues inside US borders which can help you without making everyone´s life complicated or expensive:

http://www.americanlisted.com/texas_43/garden_house_22/chaya_tree_s...

 

There is a wealth of info on the Next for Chaya, Chaya Yucatán, and dozens of other premutations shop yu should not have any problem locating infop or plants at all. One of our other members had ordered 3. 4 or 6 young plants sent to him in AZ, the first day I posted my info so, like I say, the info and/or plants are out there on your side of the wire with just a little bit of leg-work, I suspect. Let us know if we can help yu in any way and also we would be gratefukl to compare notes on our experiences as they develop.........

Saludos,

 

Ing. Gil Romero

Yucatán, Mexico

 

[Carey Ma]

I am interested in this Mayan Tree Spinach. Could you please get me some seeds?

[Gil Romero]

Thanks George,

I am sure that chickens and just about any other farm animal and/or Tilapia...would benefit greatly from the nutrition this plant offers, raw or otherwise. I myself have eaten it lightly blanched to fully cooked. It is fantastic in scrambled eggs and omelets, in juice smoothies, soups, salads, and really just about anything else you might use Spinach, Swiss Chard, beet greens or probably even Bok Choy for your stir frys!

 

Where you may run into some limitation is depending upon your winter climate but other than that you should be good to go. I am calculating that I will easilly harvest at least a kilo a day per medium sized plant (My friends think it will be considerably more but I like to play it safe). These plants can get quite large (Hence, "Tree Spinach"?)and I personally have had specimin reach over 3m tall and almost 3m dia. so keep that in consideration. If you live in a true wintery climate, I am sure it will work nicely as a potted plant kept well trimmed and brought indoors when your winter really sets in. Very tough and robust plant that almost never has any problems George. One last point: If you live in an area that has Iguanas, be forewarned that they LOOOOOOOOVE Chaya and so when you are trying to get your plant(s) established, you may find yourself "sharing with nature" a lot more than you had anticipated or are very happy with. This is usually exacerbated when your vegetarian iguanas are scavaging for anything green during what we call the dry season. The rest of the year you will be a lot safer as you will also be once your plant reaches say 2-3 feet or more in heighth. Good luck George!

[George]

Do you happen to know if chickens can eat it raw?