This webinar held on 4th September was the first in a new quarterly series convened by InsectBiotech to discuss how vineyards can use insect frass soil amendment bioconverted from waste (grape or otherwise) to enable soil and plant health, vineyard resilience and shift towards regenerative agriculture. To sign up for our list for updates and details of the next meeting, please click here) The video recording of the webinar is also on this page.
This is a short summary of the recent webinar detailing how insect frass—specifically from black soldier fly (BSF) larvae—can enable regenerative viticulture. The session, featuring leaders from InsectBiotech, Mobius Farms, Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR), and a Barossa Valley winemaker, focused on the production, nutrient profile, field trials, and sustainability impact of using BSF frass to recycle winery waste and enhance vineyard soil health.
Speakers, and areas covered included:
Tobias Webb, co-founder of InsectBiotech, who chaired the meeting and discussed how InsectBiotech is making Black Soldier Fly Frass, under the brand “Resiligrow” in Andalusia, Spain, and currently testing it in vineyards in Europe and with fruit producers.
Chris and Jeannine Malcolm of Mobius Farms in Australia discussed their new research paper, based on R&D and field trials, which has just been published. Download the report Closing the Loop: How Black Soldier Fly Larvae Are Revolutionizing Viticulture
Tammy Schutz from Schutz Barossa, a family-run vineyard and wine business in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, also joined, to talk about how they are testing frass in the vineyard.
From the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, a global sustainability collaboration platform on wine, Dr Peter Stanbury discussed how these kinds of innovations are needed and in demand by SWR members.
Here are some of the key points made in the webinar, which had around 50 participants from around the world.
Insect Biotech introduction
InsectBiotech aims to operate five BSF farms by 2031, leveraging solar energy and olive mill waste as feedstock in Andalusia, Spain.
The company has raised $4.5 million in capital and is seeking an additional $6 million to build its first large-scale facility for BSF protein, oil, and frass production.
Initial product testing and trials are ongoing with a focus on agriculture, pet food, and, notably, viticulture. IB is using both olive waste and grape pomace in production trials.
R&D and industry collaboration
Mobius Farms and academic partners have demonstrated that BSF larvae effectively convert grape marc (winery waste) into high-quality frass fertilizer, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional composting.
Key findings include: BSF frass neutralizes grape marc acidity, has superior nutrient content (notably nitrogen and potassium), and reduces carbon emissions compared to composting or landfill disposal.
Frass was found to have higher macronutrient and organic matter levels than traditional compost and approaches the nutrient value of commercial fertilizers.
Vineyard trials and outcomes
Field trials in the Barossa Valley (2024–2025) are applying frass at varying rates to assess soil health impacts versus standard controls.
Early results indicate benefits such as improved soil moisture retention, slow-release nutrient provision, and potential to boost plant resilience through chitin content.
Ongoing research focuses on optimal application, chitin’s effect on disease resistance, potassium behaviour in soils, and further scientific validation.
Market and sustainability context
The Sustainable Wine Round Table is driving evidence-based, practical sustainability standards in the global wine sector, using a Sustainable Viticulture Protocol to drive action. BSF frass use was highlighted as a promising area. Dr Stanbury noted that emissions from vineyards are significant and producers, retailers and other players are all looking to drive down emissions. BSF frass could play a key role here, alongside enhancing soil and plant health.
Engagement with producers and knowledge-sharing are regarded as keys to accelerating adoption in the wine industry, with further developments and detailed plans from SWR on viticulture expected by the end of 2025.
Strategic next steps for InsectBiotech, Mobius Farms and SchurtzBarossa
Annual and multi-year trials will continue, focusing on field validation, soil microbial analysis, and product development (including liquid frass).
Insect Biotech plans to strengthen industry partnerships, promote knowledge exchange, and build its community of practice as part of its scaling strategy.
The next webinar is scheduled for December 2025, with more results and partnering updates to be shared. Date to be confirmed.
Media and other inquiries please contact Tobias Webb at tw@insectbiotech.eu