Productivity and Profitability of Penaeus vannamei in a Semi-Intensive Shrimp Facility in Brazil Using Manual and Timed Automatic Feeding Systems

Productividad y rentabilidad de la producción de Penaeus vannamei en camaronera semi-intensiva en Brasil usando alimentación manual y automática temporizada

Abstract

Feed management is one of the main factors influencing the productive and economic performance of animal production systems in general. In the present study, the effect of two feeding systems—manual and timed automatic—on productive and economic performance was evaluated in 60 commercial batches (10–15 ha) of Penaeus vannamei cultured between August 2024 and July 2025 on a semi-intensive shrimp farm in Brazil. The mean stocking density was 12 shrimp/m² and a mean initial transfer weight of 1.08 g. Timed automatic feeding significantly increased mean yield (1,108 vs. 975 kg/ha) and daily productivity (27.8 vs. 24.2 kg/ha/day), with no significant effects on survival (~68%), final body weight (~13 g), production cycle length (~41 days), or feed conversion ratio (≈1.2), although it was associated with higher weekly growth (2.21 vs. 1.91 g/week) and greater formulated feed intake (30.2 vs. 23.5 kg/ha/day). From an economic perspective, feeding systems had no significant effect on production cost (~US$2.75/kg), net profit per kilogram (US$0.97/kg), or net profit per hectare (US$1,026/ha); however, timed automatic feeding resulted in greater daily net profit (US$18.6 vs. US$13.3/ha/day). Production cycles harvested during the second quarter (April–June) exhibited the highest yield (1,140 kg/ha) and daily productivity (28.6 kg/ha/day), primarily attributed to higher stocking density. Overall, these findings indicate that, under semi-intensive farming conditions in Brazil, timed automatic feeding enhances productivity and daily economic return without increasing production cost per kilogram.