Lessons

BSF business basics

Understand where value may come from, what creates cost and why a workable market matters as much as the production process. Income may come from taking material and from selling processed larvae or suitable residual products, but only where permitted routes and real buyers exist. The lessons move from the source of value to costs, markets and the decisions before a larger commitment.

Course introduction

What the course covers and how the lessons build from value and cost to pricing and next steps.

Watch the lesson video: Course introduction
Where the opportunity and value sit

What can create value in a BSF case: treatment service, product sales and avoided costs.

Watch the lesson video: Where the opportunity and value sit
Restrictions and challenges

The rules, permits and operating conditions that can decide whether a case is possible.

Watch the lesson video: Restrictions and challenges
Business cases

Example cases showing how material, scale, products and costs come together.

Watch the lesson video: Business cases
Calculating investment and running costs

How the capital and operating costs of a BSF operation are built up.

Watch the lesson video: Calculating investment and running costs
Pricing BSF products and frass

How product and residual-material pricing can be approached from a real specification and buyer.

Watch the lesson video: Pricing BSF products and frass
How to get started and move onward

The next steps after an initial assessment.

Watch the lesson video: How to get started and move onward
Legislation and regulation 101

Why permitted inputs and product uses depend on local rules, and what to check before planning.

Watch the lesson video: Legislation and regulation 101
Introduction to BSF business cases

An overview of the main use cases for a BSF business, with pointers to more detailed lessons.

Watch the lesson video: Introduction to BSF business cases
Preparing a BSF business to launch

A roadmap from first experience to a working operation, including the stages where planning tools help.

Watch the lesson video: Preparing a BSF business to launch
Business and financial metrics

How to read the numbers behind a case: investment, running costs, output and the measures used to compare options.

Watch the lesson video: Business and financial metrics
How to price BSF products

Pricing models and how to compare a product with alternatives before setting an initial price.

Watch the lesson video: How to price BSF products
Calculations, productisation, sales and marketing

A recorded session on turning production figures into products and a sales approach.

Watch the lesson video: Calculations, productisation, sales and marketing
Calculating the economics of a BSF operation

A recorded session on the cost and income factors behind an operating result.

Watch the lesson video: Calculating the economics of a BSF operation
Challenges in getting a business running

A recorded discussion of the practical obstacles new insect businesses meet.

Watch the lesson video: Challenges in getting a business running
Business economics at local scale

How local prices, logistics and scale affect the economics of an insect operation.

Watch the lesson video: Business economics at local scale
Business models and opportunities

Different ways to structure a BSF business and where the opportunities sit in each.

Watch the lesson video: Business models and opportunities
Episode 9: commercial applications

A podcast summary of commercial applications for BSF farmers.

Watch the lesson video: Episode 9: commercial applications
Episode 5: jobs and roles in insect farming

A podcast summary of the roles insect farming can create.

Watch the lesson video: Episode 5: jobs and roles in insect farming