Synthetic amino acids are generally prohibited in certified organic poultry production

The University of Arkansas received a $996,545 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Integrated Programs (CFDA 10.303) program on September 15, 2025. This four-year project addresses the organic poultry production industry's need for natural, cost-effective sources of methionine to replace the currently permitted synthetic amino acid. The project will deliver comprehensive research, nutritional analysis, and economic feasibility assessments of harvested insects and commercially raised crickets as viable protein and methionine alternatives for organic broiler chicken diets. Specific deliverables include microbiological safety and nutrient analysis of insect meal preparations, evaluation of broiler growth performance and meat quality metrics on insect-based diets, economic analysis comparing cost-effectiveness to conventional feed sources, and on-farm validation testing within certified organic production systems.

The award supports integrated research, education, and extension activities aligned with NIFA's priority to develop allowable alternatives to restricted substances on the National Organic Program's list. Sub-awardees include the USDA Agricultural Research Service (Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS) responsible for procuring materials, constructing collection traps, harvesting flies from livestock facilities, and processing fly meal; and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, which will conduct nutritional evaluations, poultry meat quality assessments, economic analysis, and farmer outreach through the Small Farms Program. Educational dissemination will occur through train-the-trainer programs, electronic and printed materials, and workshops targeting organic producers and agricultural extension professionals.

Methionine is the only synthetic amino acid allowed in organic poultry feed (until the next sunset review in 2026) at restricted levels in organic poultry diets due to its high biological requirement. Finding a natural, cost-effective source of methionine has been a high priority for organic farmers. Harvested insects are low-cost, readily available protein source rich in methionine. However, a comprehensive assessment of the potential of harvested insects as an organic protein/methionine source has not been investigated. In addition to harvested insects, we will also evaluate commercially raised crickets, which preliminary data showed both to have immense potential as sustainable sources of methionine for organic poultry diets. Our objectives are: 1) collect and prepare insect meal from wild harvested insects and perform microbiological safety and nutrient analysis of the meal to formulate broiler rations 2) evaluate growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens FED with insect-based diets 3) conduct an economic analysis to evaluate the feasibility of insect meals as a viable source of methionine 4) conduct on-farm testing for ascertaining the effectiveness of treatments in organic poultry production systems. Project aligns with the goals of ORG-FY 2024, priority 3: develop cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from NOP's national list of allowed and prohibited substances. Educational and extension activities to disseminate results and strategies for organic producers will be conducted through train the trainer programs, electronic and printed material, and workshops.