Dutch University to study residual flows from insect production

Aimed at sustainable dairy farming and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The ’Flying Cow’ project, a preliminary study to investigate whether residual flows from insect production can be used to reduce nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions in dairy farming, is being conducted by scientists at the Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands.

The production and processing of insects produces various valuable fractions that are rich in proteins, fats and a fibrous residue which consists of a network of chitin, minerals and proteins. The network creates the firmness of the exoskeleton of insects and also ensures that the bound proteins are less readily available to humans and animals. The bound proteins may also be well protected against microbial conversions in the rumen of cattle.

This would reduce ammonia and methane production and thus limit nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions in dairy farming. If the digestion in the subsequent stomachs of the cows makes these proteins more available, then they can be efficiently used for milk production.