{"id":591,"date":"2023-01-18T08:55:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T14:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cfsph.iastate.edu\/thelivestockproject\/?p=591"},"modified":"2023-01-17T15:00:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T21:00:56","slug":"dung-beetles-the-organic-alternative-farmers-hidden-helper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cfsph.iastate.edu\/thelivestockproject\/dung-beetles-the-organic-alternative-farmers-hidden-helper\/","title":{"rendered":"Dung Beetles: The Organic\/Alternative Farmer’s Hidden Helper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With emerging diseases, a changing climate, and concerns about feeding a growing population, organic and alternative producers face many challenges. Fortunately, farmers worldwide are getting a helping hand from an unexpected friend.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dung beetles are an often-overlooked part of agriculture, but their benefits are beginning to become unearthed. With over 6,000 species of dung beetles worldwide, these small insects can have a huge impact. Most species of dung beetle are \u201ctunnelers.\u201d This means they collect dung from the surface and carry it underground to feed their young. At the same time, they are also burying the nitrogen in this dung. This process can bring many benefits to farmers of both produce and livestock. However, like many insects, dung beetles are in danger. The biggest threat is from synthetic pesticides, often used in conventional agriculture. As organic and alternative producers, your choice to farm without synthetic pesticides allows dung beetles to thrive. Read on to learn how these insects supported by your practices can return the favor! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil Health\u202f\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Burrowing carries more nitrogen into the soil through the tunnels of dung beetles. This allows the soil to hold more water and support healthy crops. With more water retained in the soil, less water leaves fields as runoff. In a greater scope, this also helps to prevent the formation of \u201cdead zones\u201d in surrounding bodies of water. These zones result from extra nitrogen, often from agriculture.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pest Control <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Waste attracts a greater variety of parasites and supports their survival. Along with pests, this also brings negative effects to the livestock or produce in the area. By collecting and spreading feces, dung beetles can disrupt the lifecycle of dung-breeding flies. Without their breeding habitat available on the surface, these pests do not have the opportunity to lay eggs and reproduce. Removing waste at the surface also helps prevent the attraction of any additional pests such as harmful worms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biodiversity <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Biodiversity in agriculture is vital. It helps maintain a food supply resistant to threats like disease and a changing climate. Having dung beetles as pest control reduces the need to use other practices. Many of these alternatives could inadvertently harm the biodiversity of the area. Organic and alternative producers are already very conscious of materials applied to their land. However, other practices, such as clearing land, can impact the area\u2019s biodiversity by eliminating habitat. By capitalizing on the pest control services provided by dung beetles, farmers can maintain a habitat for biodiversity. And you can do so without the concern of breeding harmful pests! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food Safety\u202f <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Food safety concerns create an interesting conflict in the research of dung beetles and their role. When infected feces is taken below ground, it is hard for pathogens to survive and pass between animals. On produce farms, the processing of fecal matter left by wildlife reduces the chance that any infected feces can come into contact with food products. However, finding producers willing to subject their farms to potential risks in food safety has proven to be a tall task for researchers looking to prove the efficacy of dung beetles.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By welcoming dung beetles onto your farm, you can help protect biodiversity in the area and reap the may benefits that these tiny insects can provide. This mutually beneficial relationship serves as a reminder that, even when working to feed the world, it\u2019s important to keep the little things in mind.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n