Researchers at the University of Chester are pioneering efforts to improve poultry welfare, productivity, and environmental sustainability in the industry. Through two groundbreaking projects, FeedFlow and NetFLOX360, millions in UK Government funding have been secured to drive advancements in poultry farming using innovative technologies and sustainable practices.
The Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) at the University of Chester is part of the FeedFlow project, led by Flybox®, an insect farming innovator. The project, funded with over £3 million from Innovate UK under DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme, utilizes AI and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to address key challenges in poultry health, welfare, and sustainability.
“Working alongside a phenomenal cohort of industry leaders and academic institutions, Flybox® is confident that this project, which leverages advanced AI and BSF larvae, will deliver exceptional results,” said Larry Kotch, CEO and Co-Founder of Flybox®. The FeedFlow initiative unites various partners, including UK poultry-tech start-up FLOX, Nottingham Trent University, Courteenhall Farms, Menchine Farm, and Clarke Group Construction.
The FeedFlow project incorporates AI-based monitoring via the FLOX platform, providing real-time insights into poultry welfare and alerting farmers to potential issues early on. Additionally, the fortified BSF larvae offer a nutrient-dense feed that supports poultry health more effectively than traditional options. The project also uses Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), led by Jess Callaghan and Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner, to assess the Global Warming Potential of poultry farming practices, promoting lower emissions without compromising quality.
CREST also received a £1.5 million grant through Innovate UK’s Transforming Food Production Challenge Fund for the NetFLOX360 project, a partnership aimed at integrating data from poultry farming to factory insights. NetFLOX360, led by FLOX and 2 Sisters Food Group (2SFG), the UK’s largest poultry producer, will extend the capabilities of the FLOX AI platform to large-scale poultry operations.
Dr. Kennedy Mutua from CREST emphasized that NetFLOX360 addresses a critical need in the poultry supply chain by integrating real-time data across the entire production process, from farm to factory. This project will bring together producers, processors, researchers, and policymakers to support data-driven decisions and enhance poultry welfare and operational efficiency.
Imtiaz Shams, CEO of FLOX, highlighted how AI and machine vision technologies are transforming the industry, allowing farmers to make informed choices while improving welfare and sustainability. Through dashboard displays, producers and processors can view real-time data insights, enhancing communication and response times across the supply chain.
Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of Chester, underscored the projects’ significance in addressing industry challenges such as leg health, mortality rates, feed efficiency, and ammonia emissions. The FeedFlow and NetFLOX360 projects aim to set new standards for sustainability and efficiency, backed by innovative technologies and data insights.
Commenting on the environmental impact of the FeedFlow project, Prof. Powell-Turner noted, “The use of BSF larvae offers significant potential to reduce global warming by efficiently converting organic waste into high-protein feed, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainable waste management.”
Professor Emily Burton, Director of the Safety and Sustainability Research Theme at Nottingham Trent University, added, “Quantifying the environmental impact of food production interventions is essential for sustainable change. Life Cycle Analysis provides a clear measure of the benefits, guiding decision-making for producers and consumers alike.”
The NetFLOX360 project promises to advance poultry welfare monitoring through AI-driven Life Cycle Assessment, empowering producers to detect environmental challenges along the production chain and achieve more sustainable outcomes.
With these projects, the University of Chester and its partners are at the forefront of transforming the poultry industry, enhancing animal welfare, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the UK.
