Insects present an exciting and rewarding new choice in the feed and food industry. Getting into this newest trend or incorporating it into your existing business can be daunting; however, technological advances can ease this change and make it smoother. In these exciting times, technologies such as animal feed formulation software can offer significant support.
AgTech Expert
AFOS
Insect protein is becoming more and more common for use in human food and animal feed. The current best-quality protein source for animals – fishmeal – is unsustainable, expensive, and in short supply, so animal nutritionists are closely monitoring this development. Since they are simple to breed, don’t take up much space, and as it is known from the recent studies, leave a small ecological footprint, insects have been shown to be a great replacement.
BENEFITS OF INCORPORATING EDIBLE INSECTS IN FEED AND FOOD INDUSTRY
Even though in Western culture, edible insects may be considered controversial and unappetizing, for all of the reasons mentioned below, insects present an exciting and rewarding new choice in the feed and food industry. Additionally, let us remember that edible insects have been around from the beginning of civilization and have benefited it throughout the times. Moreover, edible insects are an important source of protein in some parts of the world, especially in developing countries, and 2 billion of people eat insects today.
Better protein conversion
Since the world population is anticipated to reach over 10 billion people in 2050, meat production is expected to rise. The anticipated growth in meat production has a drawback as it is the cause of well-known environmental pressure and inefficient conversion of plant protein to animal protein. According to previous research, on average, insects can convert 2 kilograms of feed into 1 kilogram of insect mass, whereas cattle require 8 kilograms of feed to produce 1 kilogram of body weight gain.
Lower risk of zoonotic disease spread
If used as food, edible insects can mitigate the risk of zoonotic disease transfer.
The Coronavirus pandemic brought zoonotic viral infections to the public’s notice. It is undeniable that arthropods can be vectors of various diseases, but it is believed that insects used for feed and food impose a low risk on animal and human health. Edible insects are pests that consume plant matter or agricultural waste and as a result, these insects do not serve as direct carriers of pathogens. So, they are not involved in the epidemiology of zoonoses to a significant degree. Although wild animals were responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, there are also threatening livestock zoonoses. It is believed that the decrease in consumption of animal meat can be part of the solution to stopping the spread of existing and, emerging novel zoonoses. Plant-based diets and cultured meat have many benefits; however, they cannot be the only approach to address the issue of changing the current production of animal products. In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, enhancing entomophagy could be crucial for ensuring global food security and providing diversity and stability in the food chain.
Decreased pesticide consumption
Since edible insects are pests, using them can reduce the consumption of pesticides. Due to the toxicity of pesticides, they are harmful for humans, animals, other organisms, and the environment.
Lower production of greenhouse gases
Moreover, the production of greenhouse gases by most insects is likely lower than that of conventional livestock. According to previous research, pigs produce 10–100 times more greenhouse gases per kg of weight than mealworms.
Adds to the recycling
Bio-waste can be consumed by insects, who can turn it into high-quality protein that can be utilized as animal feed. This waste includes food, human waste, compost, and animal slurry. Converting organic waste into useful proteins contributes to the concept of circular economy.
Lower water consumption
Comparatively speaking, insects utilize much less water than traditional animals. For instance, mealworms are more drought-resistant than cattle.
Less land use
Less acreage is needed for insect farming than for traditional animal production. Since insects are often raised in containers stacked on top of one another, they are great candidates for vertical agricultural production because of their low space requirements.
Richer nutritional value
Insect nutrition is influenced by their life stage (metamorphic stage), habitat, and feed. It is generally acknowledged that insects offer high-quality protein and nutrients comparable to those found in meat and fish. Most insect species have large amounts of fatty acids (comparable with fish). Copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, and zinc are among those micronutrients’ insects are high in, as well as fiber.
HOW IS AFOS USED FOR OPTIMIZING EDIBLE INSECTS AS FEED AND FOOD?
Getting into this newest trend or incorporating it into your existing business can be daunting; however, technological advances can ease this change and make it smoother. In these exciting times, technologies such as animal feed formulation software can offer significant support.
1. AFOS as feed formulation software that incorporates insects as feed
In AFOS, customers can use insects as raw materials so they can use them as a part of their animal feed formula. In such manner, quality recipes with the lowest possible costs can be optimized and formulated.
2. AFOS as feed formulation software for feed for insects
In order to use insects as part of animal feed (or human food), firstly, they must be farmed. Insects also require specific raw materials and nutrients, such as plants, plant nectar, other insects, and food scraps. These should be formulated to meet their needs, especially amino acids and fatty acids needs, and optimized to be economically acceptable. All of which can be easily done in Feed Formulation Software.
Therefore, with Animal Feed Optimization Software, you can quickly and inexpensively compose perfectly balanced meals for your animals or insects and provide them with exceptional health.
