NRGene Canada Produces Omega-3-Rich Black Soldier Fly Larvae from Fish-Processing By-Products in Partnership with Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company
NRGene Canada Produces Omega-3-Rich Black Soldier Fly Larvae from Fish-Processing By-Products in Partnership with Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company |
| [16-September-2026] |
MaxBSF™ larvae reared on fish-processing by-products contained the marine omega-3s EPA and DHA, creating the potential for a higher-value nutritional supplement for poultry SASKATOON, SK, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NRGene Canada and Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company Inc. today announced a key milestone in their black soldier fly (BSF) partnership: a dedicated feed recipe built around local fish-processing by-products, validated at semi-industrial scale, producing MaxBSF™ larvae rich in marine omega-3s.
The partnership is designed to use local waste where it is generated and produce a highly nutritious feed supplement for poultry that, when fed to laying hens, could support eggs with a higher omega-3 content.* The collaboration, announced in January 2025, set out to turn a regional by-product with limited economic use into a resource. Processing it locally would not only create a new revenue stream and jobs in Ile-a-la-Crosse, SK, but also further support the fishing industry in northwest Saskatchewan with additional revenue opportunities for local harvesters. Proven at Semi-Industrial Scale "We set out to demonstrate that a difficult waste stream could be converted efficiently and consistently at a commercially meaningful scale," said Yossi Levi, Chief Business Officer of NRGene Canada. "The run confirmed the process scales, and the economics hold up." Omega-3-Rich MaxBSF™ Larvae "These results matter because conventional BSF larvae generally contain very limited levels of EPA and DHA," said Dr. Ben Gradus, Director of Product, BSF at NRGene Canada. "By incorporating fish-processing by-products into the feed, we can produce MaxBSF™ larvae that combine insect protein with valuable marine omega-3 fatty acids." The enhanced nutritional profile also creates new potential for MaxBites™, NRGene Canada's dried BSF larvae product for animal feed. An omega-3-rich MaxBites™ product could serve as a higher-value poultry feed supplement, with the potential to support increased omega-3 levels in chickens and their eggs. Next Phase: On-Site Rearing in Ile-a-la-Crosse Neonates would come from FairGene, the joint venture between NRGene Canada and Fairville Farming Co. in Bassano, Alberta, which began producing BSF eggs in July 2026. The project would be an example of NRGene Canada's hub-and-spoke model, pairing centralized egg and neonate production with regional rearing sites close to local by-product streams. "Our community is proud to be at the forefront of this innovative work," said Tyler Morin, CEO of Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company. "This partnership reflects our cultural values of sustainability and way of life. Processing our by-products locally means more of the jobs, knowledge and value stay in Ile-a-la-Crosse." "This is a scalable model, not a one-time project," said Levi. "We take a local organic by-product, develop a dedicated feed, supply high-quality neonates from a central egg facility and establish the rearing operation close to the feedstock. Many regional by-product streams could benefit from the same approach." About NRGene Canada About Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company Inc. About FairGene * Larvae reared on the fish-based feed contained 5.16% to 7.94% total omega-3 as a share of total fatty acids, compared with 1.12% in larvae of the same genetics on standard feed. The marine omega-3s EPA (1.14% to 1.89%) and DHA (0.37% to 0.65%) were present in the fish-fed larvae and not detected in the standard-feed larvae. The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio fell to as low as 1.2:1, compared with 12.8:1. Media contact:
SOURCE NRGene | ||
Company Codes: TelAviv:NRGN.TA |
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