American animal feed company Cargill is introducing a new tool the company said will help shrimp-farming customers manage Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS).
Cargill’s EMS Risk Tool allows farmers to identify fish factors and provides recommendations on action the farmers can do to prevent EMS, a deadly disease that has caused billions of US dollars in damage to shrimp farms worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia.
"With comprehensive risk assessment tools we are able to develop biosecurity programs tailored to identifying and reducing the risk of EMS losses in our customers' shrimp farms," said Ryan Lane, Cargill's global aquaculture technology director.
Scientists believe the disease is caused by viral-infected strains of the vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. Cargill’s tool, according to Lane, is based on known science related to the bacteria and the way EMS is known to spread.