NEWS 16 Alternative Proteins Magazine October 2024 NAIC to serve as innovation hub for insect protein industry NRGene Canada, NRGene's Canadian subsidiary, announced the opening of the North American Insect Center (NAIC). This research center for collaborative innovation was established together with the Swiss technology group Bühler marking a significant milestone in the advancement of insect protein production in North America. The North American Insect Center (NAIC) is located at NRGene Canada's facility in Saskatchewan. This cutting-edge center will serve as a testing and demonstration facility for both companies' customers, offering them the opportunity to evaluate the performance of chosen Black Soldier Fly (BSF) varieties on the by-product streams available to the customers. The NAIC will allow customers to assess BSF varieties, operational parameters, and practices for efficient industrial-scale production. NRGene Canadian emphasizes that this collaborative approach enables informed decisions and maximizes BSF's potential as a sustainable protein source. The center will serve as a hub for innovation, supporting the growth of the insect protein industry in North America. Additionally, the center will offer workshops, training sessions, and seminars to educate the industry stakeholders on the benefits and best practices of insect protein production. Read more>> UK-based startup Flybox® launched of the FeedFlow project, which was awarded £3 million in funding by Innovate UK as part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme. This initiative brings together a consortium of industry leaders and academic institutions to address significant health and welfare issues in poultry production, utilising advanced technologies and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, the company points out. Despite significant advancements in production efficiency through genetic selection, the poultry industry reportedly faces persistent issues, including poor leg health, high mortality rates, and variable feed conversion ratios (FCRs). Additionally, poultry production contributes notably to ammonia emissions in the UK. To address these issues and stay competitive against low-cost imports, UK production systems must evolve continuously. Flybox® points out that Black Soldier Fly farming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are emerging as revolutionary solutions for improving poultry welfare and performance while supporting sustainability. BSF larvae are renowned for their ability to promote natural poultry behaviour and provide a nutrient-rich, high-quality protein source enhanced with antimicrobial peptides. AI systems propel precision agriculture by delivering real-time data on flock welfare and early warnings of potential issues. Read more>> BSF startup receives £3 million in funding
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