CropCast – Using Insects to make Fertiliser
Posted: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
In this episode Tiffany is joined by Arthy Surendran a Lecturer from Queens University Belfast to discuss her post-doctoral research, which looks at feeding food waste to insects with the aim of producing high value protein and fertiliser (Frass) as a by-product. Tiffany is also joined by Lachlan Jones, an Agricultural consultant from SAC Consulting, who is using Frass in SRUC crop field trials.
Listen to this episode to learn about using insects to produce protein and the potential benefits of using the by-product (Frass) as a potential fertiliser and biostimulant.
This episode was presented by Tiffany Stephenson, produced by George Gauley, edited by Cameron Waugh, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond.
Timestamps
00:49 Introduction to Arthy
01:06 Introduction to Lachlan
01:32 Introduction to FRASS
03:00 What is FRASS?
04:57 What is chitin?
07:50 How can chitin prime a plant against disease?
09:37 Micronutrient value of FRASS?
14:54 What is the organic matter value of FRASS?
15:41 How much protein is produced alongside the FRASS?
19:14 What is the pH of FRASS?
22:00 Potential negatives of using FRASS?
24:00 SRUC Field trials using FRASS
30:00 Where does it fit into Agriculture?
Resources
Positive early results in Sustainable control of clubroot https://www.fas.scot/article/positive-early-results-in-sustainable-control-of-clubroot-using-chitinous-food-waste/
Arthy Surendran on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthy-surendran-123408153/
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