NRGene Canada Turns Fish Waste into Omega-3 Poultry Feed

The trial, conducted at the North American Insect Center in Saskatoon, processed 0.3 metric tons of feed comprised of 50 percent fish by-products. The 11-day growth cycle yielded approximately 90 kilograms of MaxBSF larvae. Unlike standard larvae, which typically lack marine-based nutrients, the fish-fed insects showed a significant boost in omega-3 concentration, with total omega-3 levels reaching up to 7.94 percent of total fatty acids. This nutritional profile could allow poultry farmers to enhance the omega-3 content of eggs.

Following the success of these trials, the partners are moving toward establishing a localized rearing facility in Ile-a-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan. This site will utilize neonates supplied by FairGene in Bassano, Alberta, implementing a hub-and-spoke production model. For the local fishing community, the initiative transforms a perishable, difficult-to-manage waste stream into a sustainable revenue source. The project aims to keep economic value and job creation within the region while demonstrating that specialized insect feed can effectively scale to meet commercial agricultural demands.