Farmed crickets can be successfully raised for five or more generations on brewery waste called spent grain, according to a 2026 study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology. Gram Research analysis shows that while crickets fed 75% spent grain grew 19% smaller, they remained healthy and reproduced normally. Even better, crickets fed just 15% spent grain showed 40% better survival and production rates, suggesting waste-based cricket feed could be both environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial for farms.
Scientists discovered that farmed crickets can be raised for multiple generations on a waste product from breweries called spent grain, making cricket farming more sustainable and affordable. According to Gram Research analysis, crickets fed on spent grain were slightly smaller but remained healthy and reproduced normally over five generations. When farms used smaller amounts of spent grain (15%), crickets actually grew better and produced higher yields. This finding opens the door for cricket farms to use cheap, environmentally friendly waste products instead of expensive traditional feed, helping make insect protein a realistic solution for feeding more people worldwide.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study in the Journal of Economic Entomology found that farmed crickets fed a diet of 75% brewery waste (spent grain) remained stable and reproduced successfully over five consecutive generations, with no decline in performance.
Research shows that crickets fed 15% spent grain displayed approximately 40% higher survival rates and 40% greater total yield compared to control groups, suggesting low-inclusion waste-based diets may actually improve cricket farming productivity.
Crickets reared on 75% spent grain were 19% smaller at adulthood than those on standard farm feed, but maintained adequate nutrition to support long-term production across five generations.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether farmed crickets can be fed brewery waste (spent grain) for many generations without losing quality or ability to reproduce
- Who participated: Farmed crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus species) raised in laboratory conditions over five consecutive generations
- Key finding: Crickets fed 75% spent grain were 19% smaller but remained healthy and reproduced normally for five generations, while crickets fed just 15% spent grain showed 40% better survival and production compared to control groups
- What it means for you: If you eat cricket-based protein products, farms may soon use cheaper, waste-based feeds that are better for the environment—potentially making cricket protein more affordable without sacrificing nutrition or quality
The Research Details
Researchers raised crickets in two different feeding experiments. In the first experiment, they fed one group of crickets a diet made of 75% spent grain (a leftover product from beer brewing) and compared them to crickets eating standard farm feed. They repeated this for five generations to see if the crickets stayed healthy and could reproduce. In the second experiment, they gradually increased spent grain in the diet from 15% up to 75% over five generations to see if slowly introducing the waste product would help crickets adjust better.
The researchers measured important things like how big the crickets grew, how many survived, how much total weight they produced, and whether they could successfully reproduce. This approach allowed them to test both whether spent grain works as a long-term feed and whether slowly introducing it might be better than jumping straight to high amounts.
Previous studies only tested spent grain for one generation, so nobody knew if it would work long-term. This matters because cricket farms need to know their feed is reliable year after year. By testing five generations, researchers proved that spent grain doesn’t cause hidden problems that only show up later, making it safe for farms to actually use in their business.
This study was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, a respected scientific journal. The researchers used controlled laboratory conditions, which means they could carefully track what each cricket ate and how it performed. However, the study doesn’t specify exact sample sizes, and laboratory conditions may differ from real farm environments. The findings are preliminary but promising for commercial application.
What the Results Show
Crickets fed a diet of 75% spent grain grew to be about 19% smaller than crickets on standard farm feed. Despite being smaller, these crickets survived well, reproduced successfully, and maintained stable performance across all five generations tested. This stability is the key finding—it shows that spent grain doesn’t cause problems that get worse over time.
When researchers used a lower amount of spent grain (15%), the results were even better. Crickets on the 15% spent grain diet showed approximately 40% better survival rates and produced 40% more total cricket mass compared to the control group. This suggests that small amounts of spent grain might actually improve cricket farming outcomes.
The gradual introduction approach (slowly increasing spent grain from 15% to 75% over five generations) did not improve performance on the high-inclusion diet, but it did confirm that low-inclusion diets work well. This tells farmers that they don’t need to gradually adjust crickets to spent grain—they can use it right away if they keep amounts reasonable.
The research shows that spent grain contains all the nutrients crickets need to survive and reproduce long-term. The fact that crickets remained stable across five generations suggests no hidden nutritional deficiencies emerged over time. The 40% improvement in yield at 15% inclusion rates indicates that spent grain may have nutritional benefits beyond just being ‘adequate’—it might actually enhance cricket growth under certain conditions.
This is the first study to test spent grain feeding over multiple generations. Previous research only looked at single generations, leaving uncertainty about long-term effects. This research fills that gap and confirms what single-generation studies suggested: spent grain is a viable cricket feed. The findings align with general knowledge about spent grain’s nutritional value but provide the first proof it works long-term in cricket farming.
The study doesn’t report exact sample sizes, making it harder to assess statistical power. Laboratory conditions may not perfectly match real farm environments where temperature, humidity, and other factors vary. The study tested only one cricket species, so results may not apply to other farmed insects. Additionally, the research doesn’t examine the nutritional quality of the crickets themselves—whether spent grain-fed crickets have the same protein content or amino acid profiles as farm-fed crickets.
The Bottom Line
Cricket farms should consider incorporating spent grain into their feed, particularly at 15% inclusion rates where benefits appear strongest. High-inclusion diets (75%) are viable but result in smaller crickets and lower yields. Start with low amounts (15%) to maximize production while gaining environmental and cost benefits. Confidence level: Moderate—based on controlled laboratory research that should be validated in commercial farm settings.
Cricket farming companies and insect protein producers should care most about these findings. Consumers interested in sustainable protein sources benefit indirectly through potentially cheaper, more eco-friendly cricket products. Environmental advocates should care because this reduces waste and makes insect farming more sustainable. People with cricket allergies should note this doesn’t change the product itself, just the feed source.
Farms could implement spent grain feeding immediately based on these results, though they may want to pilot-test in their specific environments first. Benefits would be visible within one production cycle (typically 6-8 weeks for crickets). Long-term stability has been demonstrated over five generations, suggesting the approach is sustainable for years of operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can crickets be raised on brewery waste for multiple years?
Yes. A 2026 study found crickets remained healthy and reproduced normally for five consecutive generations on spent grain, proving brewery waste works as a long-term feed source without hidden problems developing over time.
Does feeding crickets brewery waste make them smaller?
At high levels (75% spent grain), crickets grow about 19% smaller. However, at lower levels (15% spent grain), crickets actually perform better with 40% higher survival and yield, suggesting the amount matters significantly.
Is cricket protein from waste-fed insects as nutritious?
The study confirms spent grain contains adequate nutrition for cricket survival and reproduction, but doesn’t directly measure the final protein quality of the crickets themselves. Further research is needed to compare nutritional profiles.
Why would farms want to use brewery waste to feed crickets?
Spent grain is cheap, reduces waste, and is environmentally sustainable. At 15% inclusion, it actually improves cricket production yields by 40%, making it beneficial from economic, environmental, and productivity perspectives.
When will cricket products from waste-fed insects be available?
These findings are recent (2026) and laboratory-based. Commercial adoption depends on farms piloting the approach in real-world conditions. Expect gradual implementation over the next 1-3 years as producers validate results.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If using a nutrition app, track insect protein consumption and note the source (cricket-based products). Over 4 weeks, monitor whether you notice any taste or quality differences in cricket protein products, which could indicate farms are using spent grain-based feeds.
- Start incorporating cricket-based protein products into your diet 1-2 times per week. Use the app to log these meals and track your protein intake from sustainable sources. As spent grain-fed cricket products become available, consciously choose them to support sustainable farming practices.
- Set a monthly reminder to check if your preferred cricket protein brands have adopted spent grain feeding. Track your overall insect protein consumption and environmental impact scores in your nutrition app. Monitor price changes in cricket products over 6-12 months to see if sustainability improvements lead to cost reductions for consumers.
This research is based on laboratory studies with one cricket species and does not yet represent commercial farm validation. While findings are promising, farms should conduct their own pilot testing before full implementation. The nutritional quality and safety of crickets fed spent grain for human consumption should be independently verified. Individuals with cricket allergies should note that feed source changes do not eliminate allergens. Consult with agricultural experts before making farming decisions based on this research. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute professional agricultural or nutritional advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.