Stellenbosch University using fly larvae to produce animal feed

The Stellenbosch University is studying the possibility of using fly and blowfly larvae in animal feed.

According to the university the resultant feed provides a good alernative to fishmeal, "an important ingredient of animal feed which is becoming increasingly more expensive and scarce since this protein source is being overutilised."

The flies are raised using expired food, fruit pulp and food waste that would otherwise end up in landfill sites. The insects are raised on this waste stream, and the larvae collected, dried, minced and mixed with animal feed.

"The larva meal is a good protein source for animals – the feed we have tested thus far produced the same and even better results as fishmeal and always better results than soy," according to the university.

"Free-range chicken eat worms and larvae. This then brings us back to the original feed animals had eaten."

You can read the full story on Stellenbosch University's website.