FairGene launches BSF egg facility to strengthen insect feed supply chain

CANADA – Fairville Farming Co. and NRGene Canada have launched FairGene, a dedicated black soldier fly (BSF) egg production facility in Bassano, Alberta, aimed at improving the reliability and performance of insect farming operations supplying the global animal feed industry.

The new facility has begun commercial production of BSF eggs using NRGene Canada’s MaxBSF™ genetics, addressing one of the fastest-growing challenges facing the insect protein sector as commercial producers scale up production of sustainable protein, insect oil and frass for livestock, aquaculture and pet food markets.

Reliable egg supply has become increasingly important as the industry expands, with consistent genetics playing a key role in improving production efficiency and reducing operational variability.

FairGene combines Fairville’s agricultural production expertise with NRGene Canada’s insect breeding and genetics platform to supply BSF producers worldwide with high-quality eggs designed to improve biological performance.

According to the companies, MaxBSF™ has demonstrated significant productivity gains over conventional BSF lines, including shorter production cycles, improved bioconversion efficiency and faster growth rates.

Trials conducted on commercial insect farms using existing feed formulations showed that the genetics produced higher larval density and weight while reducing the time to harvest. 

Compared with industry-standard lines, MaxBSF™ generated up to 2.1 times more output, allowing producers to increase biomass production without expanding infrastructure.

“Our partnership with NRGene Canada is built on the belief that genetics are fundamental to reliable insect production,” said William Wipf, Secretary at Fairville Farming Co.

“Through FairGene, we’re turning that vision into a dedicated commercial facility that supports BSF producers with dependable egg supply.”

Genetics drives insect protein production

The launch reflects growing investment in insect farming technologies as demand rises for sustainable feed ingredients that can reduce dependence on traditional protein sources such as soybean meal and fishmeal.

Black soldier fly larvae are increasingly used in aquaculture, poultry, swine and pet food diets because they efficiently convert organic by-products into high-value protein and oil while producing nutrient-rich frass for fertiliser.

Beyond egg production, NRGene Canada has also developed a neonate delivery system that can ship one-day-old larvae directly to producers. 

The system currently accommodates up to one million neonates per container, with capacity expected to increase to 2.5 million by the end of 2026 while providing a shelf life of up to two weeks after hatching.

The technology enables insect producers to begin rearing immediately without investing in on-site egg-incubation systems, thereby reducing operational complexity and improving production consistency.

“FairGene is an important step in bringing our MaxBSF™ genetics into dedicated egg production,” said Yossi Levi, Chief Business Officer at NRGene Canada. 

“Together with Fairville’s agricultural experience, we’re creating a practical platform to support BSF producers worldwide with a reliable, genetics-based egg supply.”

The partners said the Alberta facility represents the first phase of a broader expansion strategy and are exploring the development of a commercial BSF rearing facility that would serve as both a production hub and demonstration centre for scaling insect protein production.

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