Evaluation of Black Soldier Fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as a protein supplement for beef steers consuming low-quality forage

Abstract

Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) has been the focus of recent feeding trials in poultry, swine, and fish; however, in vivo research has not yet been conducted in cattle. Accordingly, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of BSFL as a protein supplement in beef steers. Six steers (603 ± 20 kg of BW, n = 3 and 404 ± 17 kg of BW, n = 3) consuming King Ranch bluestem hay (6.55% dry matter [DM] crude protein [CP]) ad libitum were used in two simultaneous 3 × 3 Latin squares. Steers were provided one of three treatments each period: 1) a control with no supplement (CON), 2) a supplement comprised of conventional feed ingredients with whole cottonseed and soybean meal as the main protein sources (CONV), and 3) a supplement with BSFL as the main protein source (BSFL). Three 14-d periods were conducted with 8-d to adapt to treatments, 5-d to measure intake and digestion, and 1-d to complete a ruminal fermentation profile. DM, organic matter (OM), CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent insoluble ash were determined in forage, supplement, ort, and fecal samples. Protein supplementation as CONV or BSFL stimulated forage OM intake (P ≤ 0.01) relative to CON with a trend for a difference (P = 0.08) between the supplements such that CONV steers consumed more FOMI than BSFL steers. Treatment affected total digestible OM intake (TDOMI; P ≤ 0.01); TDOMI for CON steers was 47.5 g/kg metabolic body weight (MBW) which was significantly less (P ≤ 0.01) than that of CONV or BSFL steers. Steers supplemented with CONV consumed significantly more TDOMI than BSFL steers (P = 0.05; 62.2 vs. 60.1 g/kg MBW, respectively). Treatment did not significantly affect digestibility of DM, OM, or NDF (P > 0.32). There was also not a significant effect (P ≥ 0.17) of treatment on ruminal ammonia-N, total volatile fatty acids, or ruminal pH. Overall, this data indicates BSFL may be an effective protein supplement for beef cattle consuming low-quality forage.

Full-fat insect meals in ruminant nutrition: in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and lipid biohydrogenation

“…Original research primarily focused on the assessment of in vitro fermentation parameters (e.g., [ 9 , 18 , 19 ]). Only two in vivo studies have been performed so far, evaluating the performance and physiological status of goat kids fed cricket meal [ 20 ] and the suitability of black soldier fly larvae as protein supplement to beef steers consuming low-quality forages [ 21 ]. In these studies, only SBM or soybean oil were used as reference feedstuff and the assessment regarded a limited number of insect species in each trial.…”

La introducción de las harinas de insectos como suplemento en la ración en rumiantes: una estrategia a adoptar a corto plazo ante la escasez de materias primas

“…En Estados Unidos, Fukuda et al (2022) evaluaron los efectos de las larvas de mosca soldado negra como suplemento proteico en novillos de carne, comparando su eficiencia productiva con las fuentes proteicas convencionales (semilla de algodón y harina de soja). Los datos revelaron que la harina de insecto no tenía efectos negativos sobre la producción ruminal de NH 3 -N, de ácidos grasos volátiles o el pH ruminal, concluyendo que la suplementación de la ración con ella podría ser un suplemento eficaz, especialmente para aquel ganado que consume forraje de baja calidad.…”

An overview of alternative protein sources for ruminants in the tropical area

“…Recent studies have examined BSFL as a promising source of protein for animal feed, both for monogastrics and ruminants. It is notable for its great content of CP and beneficial amino acid contents (Fukuda et al, 2022). Due to their nutrient profile, which includes 27.5%-55.4% CP, 51.5% fat (Lu et al, 2022), scalability, and favorable feed efficiency with in vitro protein digestibility of 66.0-68.7%, BSFL have the potential for large-scale utilization in feed applications (Lock et al, 2016;Jayanegara et al, 2017;English et al, 2021;Fukuda et al, 2022).…”