Insect feeding
Great things also work on a small scale
Feeding insects isn’t as simple as it might sound at first. The challenge lies not only in feeding the insects themselves, but also in feeding livestock. And matters get even more complicated when insects are farmed for human consumption. In both cases, compliance with EU standards and directives concerning the farming and feeding of insects is essential for access to the market and product security. TEWE has been active in this area for a long time now, and has integrated its extensive knowledge of this topic into its body of expertise about feeding systems.
The decision whether to feed an insect with dry or liquid feed depends on what consistency of feed each species requires. It is important to note that the productivity and protein content of farmed insects can be greatly improved with a balanced diet.
Insect farming not only produces a protein-packed feedstuff for agricultural purposes, but also helps recover nutrients from foods which would otherwise go to waste, for example by using fruit and vegetable scraps. This leads to a sustainable cycle that achieves good results in the optimal utilisation of available resources.
Conclusion
TEWE’s comprehensive solutions make insect feeding efficient, sustainable and economical, making a significant contribution to modern agriculture and food production. With the integration of innovative technologies, sustainable practices and extensive research, TEWE is helping develop and establish insect farming as a pioneering way to feed humans and animals.
Features
Dosing technology and dispensing
- Ultra-precise dosing: Precise quantities and drip-free dispensing of feed.
- Self-cleaning: Automatic cleaning of system components lowers maintenance costs.
Automation and control
- Automation: From manual to fully automatic processes.
- Individual controls: Custom control systems for specific, highly complex requirements.
Adaptability and integration
- Flexible modules: Quick and easy to integrate into existing systems.
- Versatility: Adaptable to various insect species and feeding methods.
Sustainability and efficiency
- Resource utilisation: Use of organic waste products from agriculture and industry.
- Circular economy: Insect faeces used for fertiliser.
Benefits:
Insects and insect flour as feed
- High protein content: Insects have up to 55% protein content.
- Healthy animals: The high antioxidant content and palatability of insects improve the wellbeing of the animals they are fed to.
- Sustainability: Insect farming is more sustainable with home-grown feed.
- Energy efficiency: Insect flour can be produced in an energy-efficient, low-cost manner.
- Growth performance: Fish show better growth performance when fed with insect feed.
Economical and scalable
- Scalability: Insect farming is easily scalable as it requires relatively little space. Vertical agriculture and modular systems allow efficient use of space.
- Cost-effectiveness: The use of organic waste products as a feed base significantly cuts production costs and makes the system economically viable.
- Market development: The market for insect proteins for both animal feed and human consumption is growing. This can produce scale effects and lower costs.
Sustainability and economic benefits
- Lower ecological footprint: Insect farming produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and uses less water and land than traditional animal agriculture.
- Less waste: The use of food waste and industrial byproducts for insect feed helps reduce waste and supports the circular economy.
Health benefits
- Nutritional profile: Insects contain a balanced profile of nutrients, rich in essential amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals.
- Digestibility: Insect proteins are highly digestible and well tolerated, making them a high-quality source of protein for animal feed.
Research and development
- Innovative feed formulae: Consistent research on optimisation of feed formulae for insects can further increase efficiency and nutritional density.
- Genetic selection: Targeted breeding programmes and genetic selection enable development of insect species with higher growth rates and better feed conversion properties.
- Technological advancements: Development of new technologies and automation solutions to further improve the efficiency and scalability of insect farming systems.
Regulatory aspects
- EU standards and directives: Compliance with EU standards and directives concerning the farming and feeding of insects is essential for access to the market and product security.
- Certifications: Certifications such as GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) guarantee the quality and safety of insect products.
Consumer acceptance and education
- Promoting acceptance: Public relations work and information campaigns are important to increase the acceptance of insects as a feed and food source.
- Transparency: Transparent information on production processes and the benefits of insect products can foster trust among consumers.
References
