Insects as an efficient source of protein

Insects are nature's waste recyclers. What other animals do not eat, they convert into protein, energy and other nutrients. ForFarmers is deploying insects in two ways: as a source of animal feed and as potential processors of residual flows. Christiaan Buitink (nutritionist and product manager poultry) sees plenty of opportunities: “Thanks to insects, we are able to use residual flows that cannot be fed directly and therefore create a natural source of protein for those same pigs and chickens.”

Reliable and predictable

For the optimal use of insects as a feed raw material, Christiaan and his colleagues at the Nutrition and Innovation Centre (NIC) are on the right track: “We have conducted trials to investigate how broilers and laying hens respond to feed made from insect products. In these trials we saw no spectacular effects on the animals’ performance. For us, that is good news indeed: it proves that we accurately calculate the value of the raw material and that we can rely on incorporating it into the feed and that the chickens’ performance with this feed is predictable.”

Creating value together

Also together with partners, ForFarmers is looking for the opportunities that insects offer. Christiaan: “Together with Protix, Wageningen Livestock Research, Esbro and Venik, we are investigating which insect products can add value in the food chain. This research is now in the phase of mixing insect products into broiler feed at field farms. In this way, we hope to gain insight into the animals’ performance on this feed. In the process, Esbro is investigating whether it is possible within the chain to provide this feed at a premium. After all, chickens by nature eat insects, which is appealing to the consumer sentiment.”

Hurdles ahead

Livestock feed containing insect products is currently relatively expensive compared to conventional feed. According to Christiaan, this is partly because insects are now mainly processed in pet food and fish feed. “There are simply bigger margins in that market. Individual consumers are prepared to pay higher prices than livestock farmers can afford.” Another hurdle ahead for insect products is current legislation. “Insects are now equal to pigs, chickens and cows by law. As a result, you are only allowed to feed them certain raw materials that are also suitable for these other animals. Many residual streams that could be suitable as insect food do not qualify as such.”

Significant influence of legislation

Last year we saw the amendments to the legislation needed to make working with insects more interesting: “Since then, animal proteins that are not processed into food for humans have been allowed to be used for animal feed. Insects also belong to these animal proteins and that offers opportunities. But we are not there yet. Residual streams that are currently not allowed to be fed to insects are destroyed or fermented. If we are allowed to feed these streams to insects, we can take a big step forward on sustainability. After all, you reduce the emissions from processing those residual streams and you create more animal proteins.”