Oberland Agriscience introduces BSFL Frass

Dr. Jake Holley

Insects are gaining ground in CEA, and not just as pests or biocontrol agents. While biological control has been a staple of integrated pest management for years, insects are now playing broader roles in food and fertilizer production systems.

Oberland Agriscience recently introduced BSFL Frass, a fertilizer made from the waste of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL). If you’re unfamiliar with Black Soldier Flies, they’re essentially the garbage disposals of the insect world, capable of thriving on a wide variety of organic waste, from manure and food scraps to meat. By feeding agricultural waste to their larvae and collecting the resulting frass (yet another term for manure), Oberland is helping close the loop between waste management and crop fertility.

BSFL Frass has already shown promise as a field fertilizer for crops like tomatoes, lettuce and strawberries. However, its use in controlled environments, especially traditional greenhouse crops, remains underexplored. As a solid, slow-release material, BSFL frass isn’t suitable for recirculating hydroponic systems, but it can be used effectively in containers and potted media-based setups.

And if you’re in aquaponics, the larvae themselves make an excellent, high-protein feed source for fish like tilapia. You can even raise BSF on-site to process your own plant waste, like roots and leaf debris, turning a disposal problem into a valuable resource, and possibly even a side hustle.

Visit oberlandagriscience.com/bsfl-products/frass to find out more and read trials on tomatoes, lettuce and strawberries. IG