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DUNG BEETLES NOW ON 350 FARMS NEW ZEALAND FARMING IS transforming and those at the leading innovative edge are looking back at our past. In fact, 100 million years ago! Dung beetles evolved with our large exotic herbivorous and should have been on the boat with them. While a bit slow off the mark we can now rebalance our farming systems. There are around 350 farmers who have released over 1000 dung beetle colonies the full length of the country. The two people driving the rebalancing of New Zealand’s farming system are Andrew Barber and Dr Shaun Forgie. Andrew Barber project managed the Dung Beetle Release Strategy Group, an MPI farmer led project to import dung beetles into New Zealand, while internationally recognised entomologist Dr Shaun Forgie was the lead scientist for the project.
Inspired by their desire to see the dung beetle improve New Zealand’s soils and waterways, the two men established Dung Beetle Innovations as a commercial enterprise. Now they want to see as many farmers as possible enjoy the benefits provided Thousands of dung beetles are already at work in NZ soils, by dung beetles. tirelessly working to improve soil and plant health. There are 11 species allowed in New Zealand “It takes two or three years to get with seven presently being mass reared established. Then by about year five there at the world’s largest dung beetle breeding is a noticeable population. Around year facility in Auckland. Shaun matches the nine they are at the farms carrying capacity species to the type of farm they will be and start fanning out.” released on, and gives advice on where For a one-off cost of $6000 for the to release them, which is extremely easy average sized farm dung beetles will bring to do. multiple benefits to a farm and pay for Raising dung beetles is like planting themselves in greater farm productivity trees, says Andrew. and improved water quality, Andrew says.
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NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2020
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