Insects For Sustainable Animal Feed

With the global population nearing 9 billion, ensuring food security is one of the most pressing challenges. The sourcing of animal protein has significant impacts on our food systems and the environment. Traditional livestock farming contributes to around 12% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, along with other environmental issues. Additionally, the hidden costs of current agrifood systems, including health, environmental, and socio-economic impacts, amount to $10 trillion annually, straining global resources and economies. Edible insects have gained global attention as an alternative source of protein.

Why Edible Insects?

Producing the primary ingredients animal feed ingredients such as fishmeal and soybean meal is costly and unsustainable. Soybean production has led to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and intensive pesticide use. Fishmeal production is associated with marine overexploitation. Insects have emerged as a sustainable alternative, due to several reasons including:

1. They are nutritious: Insects are rich in proteins, fats, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals essential for animal growth and health.
2. Their production is environmentally Sustainable: Insects can be reared on organic residual streams, reducing the environmental footprint associated with traditional feed production. They require less land, water, and emit fewer greenhouse gases and have a smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional livestock feed.
3. They offer economic Viability: Insect farming can be done on a small scale with minimal investment, making it accessible for farmers with limited resources. Insect farming can boost local productivity, improve livelihoods and food security, and address socio-economic and environmental challenges.
4. They have high feed conversion efficiency: Insects are exceptionally efficient at converting feed into protein. For instance, crickets need six times less feed than cattle, four times less than sheep, and twice less as pigs and broiler chickens to generate the same amount of protein.
5. They are an underutilized resource: Despite being consumed in many parts of the world, edible insects still have great underutilized economic, environmental and nutritional potential for improved food security, new livelihood opportunities and sustainable food systems.
6. Innovative Applications: Beyond food, insects are being explored for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and as bioconverters in various industrial processes. They contain antimicrobial peptides and functional compounds such as chitin and chitosan, which have been shown to benefit gut health and immunity.

Key Insect Species Mass Produced for Animal Feed

Insects are the most abundant and diverse animal group, but not all are suitable for large-scale production. The most reared insect species for animal feed include the black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), common house fly (Musca domestica), and various species of crickets, locusts, and grasshoppers.

TheBSF larvae are among the most promising insect species for animal feed due to their high growth rate and ability to convert organic residual nutrients into high-quality protein (30 – 66%), fat (14 – 40%), essential amino acids, energy, vitamins, and minerals. They are suitable for ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition and health.

Mealworms are an excellent option for animal feed. They have a high protein content (43 – 74%) and are easy to farm. Mealworms are especially beneficial for poultry and aquaculture.

Crickets are known for their high protein and amino acid profile. They are also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, making them a suitable feed ingredient for pets, poultry, and fish.

Benefits of Insect-based Feeds and products for Various Animals

Insects, as alternative high-quality ingredients, offer substantial nutritional value with protein, fat, essential amino acids, energy, vitamins, and minerals for enhanced growth, carcass quality, health, and health of livestock and fish. The range of insect-based feed products developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) cater to various animals including:

1. Poultry: Insects, such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and crickets, offer significant benefits for poultry production. These feeds provide a highly nutritious and natural protein source, enhancing growth performance and overall health in poultry. 

2.    Pigs: Incorporating insect meals, such as black soldier fly larvae and crickets, into pig feed significantly enhances protein intake, promoting better health and growth with improved weight gain and carcass quality.

3. Ruminants: Insects are promising alternatives to conventional protein and fat sources for ruminants, offering nutrient-rich feeding options such as blocks, pellets, and supplements. Insect products can modulate the ruminal environment, potentially reducing methane emissions and influencing biohydrogenation processes.
4. Pets: The growing awareness among pet caregivers about proper nutrition has led to the rising popularity of insect-based dog food. Insect meals provide a nutritionally valuable and often hypoallergenic alternative, making them ideal for balanced pet diets.
5. Aquaculture: In aquaculture production, insect meals such as black soldier fly larvae and mealworms significantly enhance fish growth performance. These feeds offer high digestibility and nutrient absorption, leading to improved health, and contribute to ocean conservation and sustainable aquaculture.
6. Insect oils, derived from defatting whole insects, are valuable for animal feed. When added to ruminant diets, insect oils increase the energy density of the ration, potentially mitigate enteric methane emissions, and modulate ruminal biohydrogenation. This leads to dairy and meat products with more favourable fatty acid profiles, enhancing their nutritional value for human health.

Research and Development (R&D)

Pioneering Innovations in Insect-Based Feed:At the forefront of sustainable agriculture, icipe’s R&D component is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of edible insects as a revolutionary feed source. By integrating cutting-edge science, technology, product development and sustainable practices, we are transforming the landscape of animal nutrition and health.

Driving Innovation through Scientific Excellence: icipe’s R&D efforts focus on understanding and harnessing the unique nutritional benefits of edible insects. We employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in entomology, animal nutrition, microbiology, biochemistry, and environmental science to develop feed solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.

Products

Black soldier fly larvae Meal; Dried black soldier fly larvae; Chick mash; Layer mash; Fish Grower Pellets; Broiler Finisher Pellets; Sow and Weaner Meal; Pet Food; Dudu Protein Blocks for cattle; InsectBoost Energy and Mineral Blocks for cattle; DuduMix Guinea Pig Pellets.

Link: Insect-based feeds product photos