Black soldier fly larvae meal shows promise, limits in broilers

A new study in Veterinary Sciences tested black soldier fly larvae meal as a soybean meal replacement in broiler diets and found that partial substitution may be workable, but higher inclusion levels came with tradeoffs. In the trial, 160 Ross 708 broilers were assigned to diets in which black soldier fly larvae meal replaced soybean meal at 0%, 20%, 40%, or 60% on an equivalent basis. The paper, published March 18, 2026, evaluated growth, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemistry as the industry keeps looking for lower-footprint protein sources beyond soy. The broader literature has been mixed: some poultry studies report acceptable performance at lower inclusion levels, while others show weaker growth or meat-quality outcomes when soybean meal is replaced too aggressively. (mdpi.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals and poultry nutrition teams, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that insect protein is promising, but not yet a simple drop-in replacement for soybean meal. That matters because formulation decisions affect not only feed efficiency and carcass yield, but also flock health, gut function, and downstream meat quality. In the U.S., dried black soldier fly larvae are recognized by AAFCO for use in poultry feed when the larvae are raised on feed-grade materials, which makes the ingredient commercially relevant, but also puts attention on sourcing, consistency, and contaminant control. FDA also notes that animal food ingredients can carry chemical contaminant risks, including trace elements and other unwanted residues, underscoring why substrate control and quality assurance matter in practice. (aafco.org)

What to watch: Expect more work on optimal inclusion rates, processing methods, amino acid balancing, and whether black soldier fly meal performs best as a partial soy replacement rather than a high-level substitute. (tandfonline.com)