WELCOME TO OUR BETA BITS
We Round Up Some Recent News from Beta Bugs in our Second Newsletter of 2023
Beta Bits – A round up of Beta Bugs ‘best bits’
The past couple of months have been all systems go at Beta Bugs HQ! We have seen our team traveling the globe promoting notjust Beta Bugs, but our industry as a whole, shining a light on how insect farming is leading the fight to a more sustainable future.
Below are just a few of our key moments from the past few months:
The Quantitative Genetics and Genomics Gordon Research Conference
Our Genetics Manager, Maria Martinez Castillero was invited to give a presentation at the Gordon Research Conference in quantitative genetics and genomics about the research work she had done at Beta Bugs and the Roslin Institute. Given this exciting opportunity, we asked Maria to give us a synopsis of her experience attending such a prestigious, international conference.
Beta Bugs awarded Marketed Innovation Prize from EIT Food
The Marketed Innovation Prize was designed to reward innovative food organisations that have successfully brought products or services to market. The Marketed Innovation Prize was introduced as a way to reward innovative and impactful agrifood companies whose products or services are supporting the transition to a more healthy, sustainable and resilient food system.
Industry Events
Over the past months Beta Bugs have attended the Northern Broiler Conference in Harrogate and Premier Nutrition in York, where our Business Development Director, Des Cave gave an inspiring talk on our growing industry. Des also attended the Insects As Food and Feed Conference along with Beta Bugs CEO, Thomas Farrugia to further strengthen the message on our sector.
Upcoming industry events include Groundswell on the 28th -29th June in Hertfordshire and the Rearing SIG on 6th July in Norwich.

The Launch of Beta Buzz #3
We have also just launched our third issue of Beta Buzz – our publication for the insect farming sector. The third issue sees content in the form of articles and perspectives which show how insect protein is coming online – these include contributions from Pronuvo, who are farming Black Soldier Fly in Costa Rica, Dr. Ing.Teun Veldkamp from the University of Wageningen and perspectives on insect farming from John Kirkpatrick at Tesco. Lastly, our technology and service providers showcase features a range of new companies and technologies who can help set up a Black Soldier Fly farm.
The 3rd issue is now available to read online here
Printed issues are also available at £10 (inc p&p) and can ordered by emailing info@betabugs.uk

INBIA – The Insect Bioconversion Association
And lastly, together with Better Origin, Beta Bugs have founded INBIA – the Insect Bioconversion Association, to help drive legislative change. The Insect Bioconversion Association (INBIA) is a UK membership group for commercial insect producers, primarily producing Black Soldier Fly for use in animal feed.The group’s purpose is to foster industry-public sector collaboration and drive legislative change to promote insect farming in the UK.
Read our latest blog post on ‘A Day in the Life of a Bug Breeder’, where Lindy Stewart explains what a typical day is like as a bug breeder along with why our industry matters to the wider food system.
The team at Beta Bugs are talented, committed, and excited to be working at the next frontier of animal breeding. In line with the company values, Beta Bugs have established a culture which encourages development, performance, accountability, teamwork and trust.
If you have any questions about Beta Bugs or require any further information on our products, please do get in touch at info@betabugs.uk, outlining your query and one of the Beta Bugs team members will get back to you.
Best regards,
Beta Bugs Limited