Rangen becomes first U.S. feed mill to earn ASC Certification

USA – Rangen Aquaculture Nutrition’s Buhl feed mill in Idaho has become the first facility in the United States to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed Certification, marking a notable milestone for U.S. aquaculture.

The achievement positions the company at the forefront of responsible aquafeed production as the sector prepares for stricter ingredient-sourcing requirements.

The certification, announced by the ASC and confirmed by Rangen, answers mounting industry pressure over how feed ingredients are produced, traced and verified. 

Situated in Idaho’s Magic Valley, one of the country’s primary hubs for trout and salmon farming, the Buhl mill is now authorised to manufacture ASC-compliant feed for freshwater trout, salmon, seriola, cobia, shrimp and tilapia.

ASC Feed Certification sets binding global requirements for the traceability and responsible sourcing of all feed ingredients, including fishmeal, fish oil and agricultural inputs such as soy, wheat and palm oil. 

Feed is widely recognised as one of the most significant environmental and social risk factors in aquaculture, making Rangen’s approval especially significant with a new industry deadline approaching.

From 31 October 2025, all ASC-certified farms must use feed sourced exclusively from certified mills.

Raising the bar for responsible production

ASC welcomed the certification as a pivotal step for the country’s aquafeed landscape. 

Aisla Jones, Feed Engagement Manager at ASC, said the milestone “demonstrates a trailblazing step forward in responsible sourcing and production,” adding that “by embedding sustainability at the very start of the aquaculture value chain, Rangen is helping to build a more transparent and trusted seafood industry for the future.”

Rangen supplies feed to Riverence Provisions, an ASC-certified trout producer in Idaho, and expects demand for compliant diets to accelerate as farms move to meet next year’s deadline. 

The company said its certification reflects long-term investment in ingredient transparency, chain-of-custody systems and rigorous quality controls.

Preparing for an industry shift

As U.S. aquaculture expands and scrutiny of supply chain integrity intensifies, the certification signals the growing momentum of ASC recognition in the domestic market. Rangen said it aims to help producers transition toward more responsible seafood production by setting a benchmark for North American feed manufacturers.

Carrington Gorman, Director of Aquaculture at Rangen Inc., said the approval reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. 

“Demonstrating alignment with the ASC Feed Standard makes Rangen an industry leader for American feed companies, showing we’ve met the world’s strictest standards to deliver an exceptional product that’s not only nutritious for animals, but sustainable for the environment,” he said.

The ASC Feed Standard works in tandem with the ASC Farm Standard, which governs environmental and social responsibility at the farm level. 

Together, they form a comprehensive framework intended to improve practices from feed formulation to final seafood products.

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