FairGene launches advanced BSF egg production facility in Alberta
FairGene, a partnership between Fairville Farming Co. and NRGene Canada, has launched a dedicated black soldier fly (BSF) egg production facility in Bassano, Alberta.
The facility has already started producing BSF eggs and aims to provide insect producers around the world with a dependable supply of high-quality eggs. Reliable egg availability is becoming increasingly important as the insect farming industry continues to expand and meet demand for sustainable products.
"From the beginning, we saw genetics as critical to building a reliable BSF egg production operation," said William Wipf, Secretary at Fairville Farming Co. "NRGene Canada brought the genetics platform and expertise we were looking for, and through FairGene we're turning that shared vision into a dedicated facility here in Alberta."
Black soldier flies are widely used to produce protein, oil, and frass, which can be used in animal feed, agricultural applications, and other industries. As producers scale operations, consistent egg supply and strong genetics play an important role in maintaining production performance.
The new facility uses NRGene Canada's MaxBSF™ genetics platform, which is designed to improve production efficiency. According to the companies, these genetics can help shorten production cycles, improve feed conversion, and support more consistent growth. Trials have shown improved larval density, increased weight, and faster harvest times when compared with standard industry lines.
"FairGene is an important step in bringing our MaxBSF™ genetics into dedicated egg production," said Yossi Levi, CBO at NRGene Canada. "Together with Fairville's agricultural experience and production capabilities, we're creating a practical platform to support BSF producers worldwide with reliable, genetics-based egg supply."
The companies also highlighted a developing delivery system for newly hatched larvae. This system is designed to ship one-day-old larvae directly to producers, making it easier for farms to begin production without managing egg incubation on-site. Current shipping capacity can support up to one million larvae per container, with further expansion planned.
FairGene combines Fairville's agricultural production experience with NRGene Canada's breeding and genetics expertise. The facility is currently the exclusive source of MaxBSF™ eggs and is expected to expand production capacity as demand grows.
Company representatives say the partnership was created to provide a reliable genetics-based egg supply to support the industry's continued growth. The project also represents an important step in the commercialization of insect agriculture in Canada.
Looking ahead, the partners are exploring additional opportunities, including a future black soldier fly rearing facility that could support research, demonstration activities, and larger-scale insect production.
Watch the video below which explains why black solider flies and how they can be used, but is NOT about a commercial operation.
Photo Credit: nrgene-fairgene