D3155: Preliminary assessment of palatability, degradability, and in vitro inclusion optimization of black soldier fly larvae when added as a substitute for soybean meal in dairy cattle

Monday, November 11, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

Helen Craig (she/her/hers)

Graduate Student
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland

Co-Author(s)

AT

Anand Tiwari

University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
RK

Rick Kohn

University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
ER

Eduardo Rico

University of Pennsylvania
New Bolton, Pennsylvania
BL

Bill O. Lamp

Professor
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland

Rapid population increases, agricultural productivity and resilience, and climate intensification have presented noteworthy issues for environmentally and economically reliable feed for livestock. Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens or BSFL) meal offers an alternative source of protein to supplement resource intensive soybean meal. Beside BSFL’s low maintenance rearing, they also present an opportunity to mitigate methane emissions in ruminants. However, previous studies have only observed the effects of BSFL in ruminants through in-vitro methods without considering inclusion optimizations, palatability, or in situ degradability. In this study, we provide preliminary data to support black soldier fly larvae as a nutritional, methane mitigating, economically sound protein supplement in dairy cattle. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the nutritional content of BSFL meals, (2a) determine the optimal inclusion rate to mitigate methane while maintaining nutritional value, (2b) identify mechanisms for methane reduction, (3) observe palatability of feed with BSFL substitution, and (4) measure degradability of BSFL in situ. We will study these parameters using a series of in vitro, in vivo, and in situ experiments. We anticipate that these results will address some of the basic questions about BSFL as a protein supplement in dairy cattle.