SOUTH West farmers are invited to join an online lecture on insect bioconversion and whether it can improve the sustainability of farming practices.
The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) will hold a webinar on July 12 from 12noon to explore the potential of insects and insect bioconversion to contribute to more sustainable use of waste streams generated by a range of farming and horticulture businesses. 

Insect bioconversion also produces a peat and chemical-free soil improver known as frass, a novel protein supply for poultry and other livestock feed, and further specialist value-added products such as chitin and oils.
Those attending the event will hear from specialists, scientists, and practitioners to help understand the potential contribution Insect Bioconversion can provide to help the drive towards net zero through reducing emissions from landfill, as well as supporting sustainability credentials due to the efficient management of waste streams.
Themes and topics to be covered include: added-value products from Insect Bioconversion and their use ‘on farm’; contribution of insect-derived products to low carbon, regenerative farming systems including the drive towards net zero; safety, nutritional qualities and consistency of the insect protein produced; utilising the waste stream from Insect Bioconversion – the frass – as a soil improver; current state-of-the-art and future potential in terms of sustainability.

Fera’s Jess Barker, Business Development and Maureen Wakefield, scientist and project lead for Fera’s Insect Research Laboratory will be in conversation with a range of contributors across poultry farming, pork processing, animal feed, horticulture and waste management sectors.
Anyone involved with primary and secondary agriculture and horticulture value chains from primary production to end product wishing to become more sustainable through reducing and valorising their waste streams and driving down emissions can attend this event. It will be of particular interest for those looking for peat and chemical-free and more sustainable soil improvers.

Visit www.fera.co.uk for further information or register your interest in attending this webinar series here: content.fera.co.uk/webinar-interest.