NEWS 26 Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2024 Can the industrial breeding of insects as animal feed contribute to feeding the growing world population? The "Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show", which will take place from 12 to 15 November 2024 at the trade fairgrounds in Hanover, is dedicated to answering this question. The B2B platform, organised by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), focuses on technologies and solutions that show that insects can now be used economically as an alternative source of protein for sustainable animal feed. "Inhouse Farming" optimally complements one of the world's leading trade fairs, EuroTier, and EnergyDecentral, one of the leading international platforms for decentralised energy supply, which will take place at the same time, offering new perspectives and business models for the entire value chain. For Prof. Nils Borchard, Head of DLG Research and Development, insects are the missing link in the circular economy. "They could be the animal feed of the future, as they provide valuable proteins, fats and other nutrients. Their production is also very resource-efficient." But what makes them the raw material for the feed production of the future? Answers to this question will be provided at the "Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show" in Hanover in mid-November, according to a press release from DLG. FOCUS ON THE BLACK SOLDIER FLY Seven insect species are now authorised in the EU for use as processed animal protein in livestock feed. The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) have proven to be ideal for the production of animal feed. Their protein content is comparable to that of soya bean meal - 40 to 47 per cent in dry matter. "The potential of larvae is huge," confirms Dr. Frank Hiller, CEO of Big Dutchman. This is because they produce high-quality protein from otherwise hardly usable residues, which is ideal as animal feed. Hiller assumes that the alternative protein source can permanently replace a significant proportion of the soya imported to Europe. For this reason, Big Dutchman has pooled its existing expertise in the field of insect farming and production in Better Insect Solutions, which was founded in 2020. The company, which specialises in complete solutions for insect farming, will be presenting its systems at the "Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show". What these look like in practice could be seen in Hvirring (Denmark) in November 2023 - when the Enorm Biofactory, currently the largest insect farm in Northern Europe, was opened. Larvae of the black soldier fly are bred on site on an area of 22,000 square metres and processed into insect protein and oil. According to a statement from DLG, large parts of the technology, including the climate control systems for the breeding and fattening area, the exhaust air purification and heat recovery, the liquid feeding system and the boxes for fattening, were supplied by Better Insect Solutions. The experts plan and build complete high-tech insect farms for investors, including breeding, fattening and processing. The highly automated, modular fattening systems in the product range are aimed more at farmers who want to add another mainstay as insect fatteners. OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVESTOCK FEEDING The black soldier flies bred in the Enorm Biofactory are given food consisting mainly of waste from the Feed & Food Show 2024 to shine light on insects as sustainable feed ingredients SPECIAL NEWS
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