AGRIBUSINESS: Ghana researchers suggest insect meal as alternative protein.

AGRIBUSINESS: Ghana researchers suggest insect meal as alternative protein.Insect meal may replace soy and fish meal as the cheapest and safest source of protein feed for the country’s livestock. Various researchers around the world have investigated the possibility of using insect meal as a sustainable source of nutrition in livestock feed. Most recently, researchers in Ghana have said they believe using insect meal will be a feasible, safe and cost-effective source of protein for livestock

Bed bugs are growing thicker skin to combat insecticides.

Bed bugs are evolving thicker exoskeletons to help them resist widely used insecticides.Scientists at Australia's University of Sidney note that the thicker a bed bug's cuticle, the more resistant it was to pyrethroid insecticides. The team first took members of the Parramatta field strain of bed bugs, known to have high pyrethroid resistance, and exposed individuals to an insecticide. Using scanning electron microscopy, they found that "mean cuticle thickness was positively correlated to time-to-knockdown, with significant differences observed between bugs knocked-down at 2 hours, 4 hours, and those still unaffected at 24 hours." Insects with a cuticle thickness of around 10 micrometres were found to be effectively resistant to the pyrethroid, while those whose exoskeletons measured less than 9 micrometres succumbed in two hours or less. In a second test, they exposed and examined members of the pyrethroid-susceptible Monheim laboratory strain of Cimex lectularius, and found they typically had cuticles of less than 9 micrometres, compared to the Parramatta bugs' ~10 micrometre exoskeletons. The results suggest an explanation for why it's become increasingly hard to control bed bug infestation over time. Study co-author David Lilly says that this could have implications for future studies into methods of overcoming insecticide-resistant bed bugs, as well as other insects. "If we understand the biological mechanisms bed bugs use to beat insecticides, we may be able to spot a chink in their armour that we can exploit with new strategies." culled from wired.co.uk

SEED IMPROVEMENT , FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SECURITY.

Corn ranks next to rice as the staple crop in the Philippines,and the high cost of farm inputs like seeds and fertilizer is one of the burdens of many farmers. Now, the cost of pesticides hurting farmers, and the very low quality of corn produced because of more than 20 harmful insects damaging the whole life cycle of these pests. Tracing back the reason why these insects enjoy damaging the corn plant, the answer pin-points to the problem of absorption and utilization of nutrients. This is how Atovi works on the plants: 1) increase the population of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.2) drives away insects, promote fast and healthy growth of plants .3 )makes the whole cellular structure of the plant firm and thick.4) more rows of good kernels .5) strong tolerance against diseases.6 )increase harvest. How to use the technology in Corn production: Corn kernels (seeds) must be soaked first in water with the technology for two and a half hours (2 ½ hrs.) before sowing it. Dilution: 1 tbsp Atovi : 1 liter of water. The dilution can be used many times for soaking. If there’s excess mixture (water & atovi), it can be use to condition the soil where it will be planted. Water the planting hole with the said mixture to prevent corn maggots from eating the seeds. For two (2) weeks, spray Atovi in the afternoon (preferably 5pm) every other day. Dilution: 2 tbsp. Atovi : 1 Gallon of Water (4 liters) or 1 kg. Atovi : 1 Drum of Water. After transplanting, maintain the application of Atovi every late afternoon weekly and stop two (2) weeks before harvest time, using the same dilution stated in No.2. This will procedure will make the whole cellular structure of plant including the corn kernels (fruit) very firm to prevent insects from damaging them. For plots, be sure to cultivate the soil one (1) week before transplanting for good soil aeration. Much better results can be achieved if manure (fecal waste) from animals already taking Atovi will be used as organic fertilizer during land preparation. If not, one can use ordinary animal manure from animals not taking Atovi but before incorporating them into the soil, spray them with Atovi every other day for one (1) week to hasten the manure decomposition and makes them organic fertilizer. In any case, don’t forget to spray Atovi on the plot to energize the beneficial bacteria in the soil, exterminate harmful microorganisms and insect pests, eradicate weed seeds, and achieve the 3-week organic soil state. In spraying Atovi, make sure to wet the underside of leaves, and or, water the plant base/root zone for fast effect. Simple tips: Always maintain clean corn field. Remove rubbles, or any trash where insects thrives. Story; ATOVI TECHNOLOGY.

NEW INSIGHTS ABOUT INSECT INCLUSION IN ANIMAL DIET.

The EC-funded PROteINSECT project has today released an up-to-date review and analysis of the current status of insects as a viable, sustainable, additional source of protein for use in animal feed in Europe. 

 In 2015, fish, poultry, and pig feeding trials are being conducted in 2015 in Europe (Belgium and UK) based on PROteINSECT UK derived insect protein whereas, fish and chicken feeding trials will be conducted in China, Mali and Ghana with insect protein being sourced from PROteINSECT partners within each country. 

 According to PROteINSECT, consumers are willing to consume food from animals that received insects in the feed, as long it is mentioned on the food label, according to the majority. The contribution that insects can make to addressing the protein deficit and to help address the global challenge of future food security.

 Insects are rich in protein and are a natural component of the diets of carnivorous fish and freerange poultry. Fly larvae can be reared on a wide range of wastes and by-products and offer a potential way of recovering value from materials that may be disposed of by agriculture and food industries. 

 House fly and black soldier fly production systems have showed favourable results in terms of their space requirements but considerable improvement within the systems that PROteINSECT has evaluated is required to improve the heating related energy usage and water consumption.

The supply of organic waste is increasing along with demand for animal products; production of insect protein presents an opportunity to produce low value waste and produce high value products for inclusion in animal feed. read more ; world poultry.

Insects as protein source for animal feed.

Insect Farming Is taking Shape as demand for animal feed rises;As the world grows hungrier for animal protein, insects could be the new way to feed livestock. However, food producers are likely to feel the pinch as the world’s population climbs to nine billion by 2050, while rising incomes in large countries like China and India lead to greater demand for meat-rich diets. So entrepreneurs, researchers, and even the United Nations are looking for an animal feed less expensive than the soybeans and fish meal typically used today. Insects like mealworms and fly larvae, a natural food for wild birds and fish, could be a near-perfect replacement. With several startups planning industrial-scale operations, it may not be long before some poultry or fish entrées are raised on a regular diet of bugs. 15 % of all wild-caught fish goes to feeding farmed fish, pigs, or poultry. Soybean production, about 95 percent of which goes into animal feed, has seen a significant spike since the 1990s and will reach record highs this year. But unless yields can be significantly increased, continuing this surge would mean gobbling up additional land and water. Not only do insects use far less of these resources than soy, but they also feed on food waste. Furthermore, they’re comparable to soy in protein content. Breeding trials conducted by the E.U. initiative PROteINSECT have found that one hectare of land could produce at least 150 tons of insect protein per year. By comparison, soy planted over the same area yields just under a ton of protein per year. Feeding trials also suggest that a bug-based diet will produce bigger, stronger livestock. In its 2013 report on edible insects, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. pointed to several studies on fish and Japanese quail in which ground crickets replaced up to 50 percent of the fish meal in their feed. The fish outperformed counterparts fed traditional diets on every growth parameter, and the cricket-fed quail laid more eggs than the control group. story credit; http://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/