Many studies have been per- formed using different insect types in pig and poultry nutri- tion.


reduce the growth performance of growing pigs. The is due to excess calcium from starfish meal reducing the availability of phosphorus.


Insect meal Many experiments have been carried out using different in- sect types in pig and poultry nutrition. On average, insect meals contain around 60% CP. Although protein concentra- tions can vary with insect type, rearing conditions and pro- cessing (e.g., defatting). Insect meals are generally a good substitute for soybean meal in terms of essential amino acids. However, levels of cysteine − an important limiting amino acid in insect meal − tend to be lower. The substrate used for rearing insects affects their nutrient composition. As a result, the controlled production of insects offers interesting possi- bilities for balancing nutrient composition. Many studies have successfully (partially) replaced soy with black soldier fly or yellow mealworm in diets for pigs and poultry. A general con- sensus in these studies is that too high an inclusion (above approximately 10% of the diet) limits feed efficiency. This is probably due to chitin, a cellulose-like fibre that makes up the exoskeleton of insects, limiting the digestibility of pro- tein. In a study using group-housed conventional Ross 308 broilers under experimental conditions, lesser mealworm, black soldier fly and yellow mealworm were fed at a 10% in- clusion rate. Replacing soybean meal with insect meal was complicated due to low cysteine concentrations. Initially, but not overall, reduced feed intake led to reduced liveweight


gain when yellow and lesser mealworm were fed to broilers. However, it is uncertain whether this is an effect of the insect meal or an effect of differences in diet composition. Feeding black soldier fly led to similar growth performance compared to a control diet. Interestingly, in particular in the grower phase, feed efficiency was improved when feeding lesser mealworm.


Thinking outside of the box These ingredients are only a few of those with the potential to partially replace commonly used protein-rich ingredients without compromising growth performance. However, solely being able to maintain good growth performance is not the only prerequisite for the use of ingredients. The adaptation of these alternative and locally produced feed ingredients also depends on the available quantity and the cost-effectiveness of incorporating them in feed rations. Moreover, to prevent shifting environmental concerns related to soy and fishmeal, it will be important to understand the effects of producing these feedstuffs on biodiversity, land and water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. This will ensure the long and fruit- ful use of these alternative ingredients. It is certain that future provision of novel proteins in feed will require thinking out- side of the box. The use of co-products, enhancing quality and the availability of locally available ingredients plus the establishment of new production forms are among the vari- ous methods of obtaining novel proteins in Denmark and in Europe as a whole.


▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 8, 2021 15


PHOTO: ANP


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36