biosinth

In The Chair: President Carmel
 
Members: 14
Guests: Daniel Boerma, Volant Wills, Aaron Snaidero
 
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         biosinth - Daniel Boerma
 
 
Daniel Boerma was supported by Volant Wills in his talk on a new enterprise being established in Grong Grong. This enterprise is being established to convert waste streams into usable stock feed – particularly aquaculture feed.  It is to be located adjacent to the solar farm at Grong Grong to take advantage of the off-peak power available at the site.
 
The objective is to culture black soldier fly larvae on waste streams.
 
 
‘The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) or Hermetia illucens, is an introduced species to Australia, endemic to the south-eastern part of the United States. BSF is not recognised as a pest because the adult is not attracted to human habitation or foods, they are also non-biting and non-invasive. Recently, insect farming involving BSF larvae has gained increasing attention. Previous studies have shown that Black Soldier Fly farming can be used to convert food waste to protein, and that the by-product of this is commercially viable.
This is due to BSF larvae showing a high feed conversion efficiency and feed on many waste sources, including animal, slaughterhouse and cropping wastes. Previous studies demonstrate that the BSF farming process significantly decreases the total mass of fresh manure during the larval digestion, reducing the volume of organic waste up to 50 percent. This process also alters the nutrient concentration of the waste product.
Through the digestion, BSF frass provides a more balanced nutrient content and profile compared to the untreated manures, producing high value protein and oil. This by-product is being researched as a potentially suitable as an animal and fish feed, fertiliser and soil improver.
Due to the high cost of treatment and disposal of the wastes (both solid and liquid) produced by on-farm, intensive production and animal processing sectors, this technology is currently being further researched as a waste management tool in Australia. This will convert waste into a potentially valuable by-product, providing not only a low-cost and sustainable waste management solution for the agricultural industry, but an alternate source of profit.’  (source AgriFutures Australia).
 
The BSF larvae provide a high protein meal that is a totally balanced protein with hypoallergenic properties.  Other by-products may be developed in time because there are a large number of useful ingredients that can be used in animal and human products.
 
Daniel and Volant were thanked by Matt.
 
 
                                                                  
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Brain Teaser
 
 
What is the missing number?
 
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Director’s Reports
 
  •  President Carmel
    • Thank you to all who helped out at the breakfast for Citrus Australia.  Carmel particularly highlighted the contribution by Brian.
    • The Cowra trip was a great success.  Thanks to Carmel and Carol were voiced by Jennifer.
    • Board meeting on 9th April.
 
 
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Induction – Marina Cook
 
 
President Carmel inducted Marina into our club.  We were all excited to welcome our newest member.
 
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Sergeant – Matt
 
 
Matt may have been slow in realizing that he was the Serge for the night but he wasted little time in making us pay for our misdemeanors.  He was particularly hard on Bruer for his efforts at deforestation.
 
Raffle was won by Nicholas.
 
 
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Indian Giver
 
A native American chief had three wives, each of whom was pregnant.
The first gave birth to a boy. The chief was so elated that he built her a teepee made of deer hide.
A few days later, the second gave birth, also to a boy. The chief was very happy. He built her a teepee made of antelope hide.
The third wife gave birth a few days later, but the chief kept the details a secret. He built this one a two-story teepee, made out of a hippopotamus hide. The chief then challenged the tribe to guess what had occurred.
Many tried, unsuccessfully. Finally, one young brave declared that the third wife had given birth to twin boys.
"Correct," said the chief. "How did you figure it out?"
The warrior answered, "It's elementary. The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides."
 
A:  The missing number is 75. The pineapple = 4, watermelon = 9, strawberry = 7, berries = 8. The final line is  8 + 4 + 9 x 7 = 75.
 
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