# Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal with Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larva Meal Maintains Stable Reproductive Performance and Health Status of Sows and Their Offsprings

## TL;DR

Replacing some soybean meal with black soldier fly larva meal in sow diets can maintain reproductive performance and health of sows and their piglets.

## Contribution

This study shows that small amounts of black soldier fly larva meal can replace soybean meal in sow diets without harming reproductive or health outcomes.

## Key findings

- Sows fed 0.5% BSFLM had increased body weight at initial and weaning periods.
- Piglets from BSFLM-fed sows showed a tendency for increased body weight and average daily gain.
- Milk from sows on 0.5% BSFLM had a tendency for higher protein and fat content.

## Abstract

As the global population continues to grow, the demand for meat, milk, and eggs is increasing. This puts pressure on livestock feed resources, especially protein sources like soybean meals (SBMs). SBM may become less available in the future and is also linked to environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. To address these concerns, researchers are exploring more sustainable alternatives. One promising option is black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), which can efficiently convert organic waste into nutrient-rich protein while leaving a much smaller environmental footprint. Previous research in pigs has shown that a BSFL meal (BSFLM) can replace traditional protein ingredients without reducing growth and may even help support the immune system. However, very little is known about it. For this reason, our study investigated whether partially replacing SBM with small amounts of BSFLM (0.5% and 1.0%) in sow diets could influence the reproductive performance, blood health, milk quality, and growth of piglets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of the reproductive performance, milk composition, and blood profile of sows, as well as the performance of their offspring when their dietary soybean meal is partially replaced by black soldier fly Hermetia illucens larva meal (BSFLM). A total of 18 multiparous (Landrace × Yorkshire) Duroc mated sows were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments based on parity from gestation to lactation on day 21. Each treatment has six replications. The dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet based on corn-soybean meal; BSFLM1, basal diet soybean meal partially replaced with BSFLM (0.5% of diet); BSFLM2, basal diet soybean meal partially replaced with BSFLM (1.0% of diet). Our results revealed that sows fed with 0.5% of BSFLM had significantly increased (p < 0.05) BW at the initial and weaning period. Also, the BSFLM2 group sows showed significantly increased (p < 0.05) backfat thickness at weaning. Compared to CON, piglets born from the BSFLM group sows showed a tendency (p > 0.1) of having increased BW (at initial and at weaning) and ADG. Furthermore, sows fed with 0.5% BSFLM showed a tendency (p > 0.1) of having increased protein and fat % in milk at week 1. The serum concentration of IGF-1 was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the BSFLM1 group sows compared to the BSFLM 2 group sows initially and it was equalized at weaning. In summary, partial replacement of soybean meals with 0.5% and 1% BSFLM could be beneficial for improving the reproductive traits, milk composition, and health status of sows and their offsprings.