Black soldier fly meal shows promise as soy substitute in broilers

Black soldier fly larvae meal could replace a meaningful share of soybean meal in broiler diets without hurting growth or carcass outcomes, according to a new March 18, 2026 study in Veterinary Sciences from researchers at Prairie View A&M University and collaborators. In the trial, 160 Ross 708 broilers were assigned diets in which black soldier fly larvae meal replaced soybean meal at 0%, 20%, 40%, or 60% on an equivalent basis. The authors reported that performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical indicators supported the ingredient’s potential as an alternative protein source, adding to a fast-growing body of poultry nutrition research around insect meal. (mdpi.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals and poultry nutrition teams, the study adds another data point suggesting insect protein may be a workable tool for reducing reliance on soybean meal, especially as producers weigh feed cost volatility, supply-chain risk, and sustainability goals. But the broader literature still points to an inclusion-rate question: recent reviews and prior broiler studies suggest lower or partial inclusion levels tend to perform best, while higher replacement rates can impair feed efficiency or growth, likely in part because of digestibility limits tied to chitin and formulation challenges. In parallel, the regulatory picture is moving, with the EU allowing certain insect processed animal proteins in poultry feed since 2021, and AAFCO materials indicating dried black soldier fly larvae definitions were expanded to include poultry and swine feed in the US. (link.springer.com)

What to watch: Watch for follow-up work on optimal inclusion rates, economics at commercial scale, and whether US feed adoption accelerates as ingredient definitions and supply chains mature. (publish.csiro.au)