The ACT government is encouraging farmers to use dung beetles
June 20, 2024 6:39 AM Subscribe
Manure and the cost of fertiliser are both problems for farmers — dung beetles offer a solution.
The Australian Capital Territory government is encouraging farmers to use dung beetles to recycle the nutrients in cow dung into their pastures, with experts saying they improve soil quality and reduce fly numbers — and are cheaper than fertiliser.
This seems like a good idea, but hasn't Australia historically had really bad side effects from introducing new species, like, say, cows?
True. But this project dates back to 1968-1981, so if dung beetles were The New Cane Toads, we'd know by now. (Also, Australia has lots of native dung beetles, it's just that the native dung beetles can't cope with cow poo.)
"Mr Feehan was involved in the CSIRO's dung beetle project, which saw 53 species introduced to Australia from southern Africa and southern Europe between 1968 and 1981 to be used as biological resources.
Of those, 24 imported dung beetle species are known to still be established in Australia — seven of those in the ACT."
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 7:14 AM on June 20 [4 favorites]
True. But this project dates back to 1968-1981, so if dung beetles were The New Cane Toads, we'd know by now. (Also, Australia has lots of native dung beetles, it's just that the native dung beetles can't cope with cow poo.)
"Mr Feehan was involved in the CSIRO's dung beetle project, which saw 53 species introduced to Australia from southern Africa and southern Europe between 1968 and 1981 to be used as biological resources.
Of those, 24 imported dung beetle species are known to still be established in Australia — seven of those in the ACT."
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 7:14 AM on June 20 [4 favorites]
Wow, i had no idea about this project. My place seems to have a canine 'friendly' variety.
I try to avoid collecting stowaways. I wonder if they're native or not.
posted by neonamber at 7:26 AM on June 20
I try to avoid collecting stowaways. I wonder if they're native or not.
posted by neonamber at 7:26 AM on June 20
Cane toads versus dung beetles – it’s the cattle that lose out
Reducing the number of cane toads in Australia’s tropical rangelands would benefit the cattle industry by increasing the number of dung beetles that carry out the vital job of burying dung, a UNSW-led study suggests.posted by pracowity at 7:38 AM on June 20 [4 favorites]
Toxic cane toads not only kill native animals, they also prey on these beetles, preventing them performing the dung decomposition work that allows cattle to graze more freely and lowers the animals’ risk of infection with parasites.
I want to do the PSA: "Australian Farmers -- Get your shit together with dung beetles!"
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:31 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:31 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]
Does manure really need processing to enrich soil? There's a beef farm near me. They collect manure from stalls, compost it, spread on hay fields, feed hay to cattle. Manure composts at high temps and kills pathogens. i assume dung beetles are fine, but microbes work pretty well, too. I've used dog poop to enrich very poor soil where food will not be grown with very good results.
posted by theora55 at 9:35 AM on June 20
posted by theora55 at 9:35 AM on June 20
Does manure really need processing to enrich soil?
FTA:
Cow dung build-up can cause significant ecological and economic damage for cattle farms — attracting flies that increase the spread of pests and disease, causing chemicals and organic matter to flow into waterways, and reducing pasture soil quality and productivity.
When dung beetles eat and then bury cow dung they also bury the nutrients — like nitrogen and phosphorus — in it, rejuvenating the soil.
I had the same question as GenjiandProust, but the point is well taken that it’s been a minute for these. What has the time course been in other cases for identifying introduced species as an ecological hazard? Is it like one year you’re sitting pretty, the next you’ve racked up 20 endangered native species? Or could it take decades? I tried to look up what they knew when about the perils of mongoose introduction for pest control, but didn’t see anything that was immediately relevant.
posted by eirias at 10:17 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]
FTA:
Cow dung build-up can cause significant ecological and economic damage for cattle farms — attracting flies that increase the spread of pests and disease, causing chemicals and organic matter to flow into waterways, and reducing pasture soil quality and productivity.
When dung beetles eat and then bury cow dung they also bury the nutrients — like nitrogen and phosphorus — in it, rejuvenating the soil.
I had the same question as GenjiandProust, but the point is well taken that it’s been a minute for these. What has the time course been in other cases for identifying introduced species as an ecological hazard? Is it like one year you’re sitting pretty, the next you’ve racked up 20 endangered native species? Or could it take decades? I tried to look up what they knew when about the perils of mongoose introduction for pest control, but didn’t see anything that was immediately relevant.
posted by eirias at 10:17 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]
collect manure from stalls, compost it
I'm guessing collection is the difference. If your cattle are regularly in stalls, this would work great. But if they're mostly pooping while they're grazing, you'd have to collect manure from a wide area before composting. Potentially a very wide area, if it's in a water-poor region that can only support a small number of head per acre.
posted by clawsoon at 10:24 AM on June 20
I'm guessing collection is the difference. If your cattle are regularly in stalls, this would work great. But if they're mostly pooping while they're grazing, you'd have to collect manure from a wide area before composting. Potentially a very wide area, if it's in a water-poor region that can only support a small number of head per acre.
posted by clawsoon at 10:24 AM on June 20
I'm guessing collection is the difference. If your cattle are regularly in stalls, this would work great. But if they're mostly pooping while they're grazing, you'd have to collect manure from a wide area before composting. Potentially a very wide area, if it's in a water-poor region that can only support a small number of head per acre.
Yes, some of the cattle pastures in the dry parts of Australia are massive, and the watering has to be automated (electronic pumps straight to drinking troughs, remote monitoring) because the distances are so vast.
The largest cattle station in Australia is 5,850,000 acres; which is 23,677 square kilometres; or 9140 square miles.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 10:41 AM on June 20 [3 favorites]
Yes, some of the cattle pastures in the dry parts of Australia are massive, and the watering has to be automated (electronic pumps straight to drinking troughs, remote monitoring) because the distances are so vast.
The largest cattle station in Australia is 5,850,000 acres; which is 23,677 square kilometres; or 9140 square miles.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 10:41 AM on June 20 [3 favorites]
9140 square miles
Or, in scientific units, just under nine Rhode Islands.
posted by nickmark at 11:02 AM on June 20 [2 favorites]
Or, in scientific units, just under nine Rhode Islands.
posted by nickmark at 11:02 AM on June 20 [2 favorites]
eriias, if there's a buildup, as with feedlots, it can be harvested for fertilizer, though I guess beetles burying it is fine. In the US, cattle, hog, and chicken operations generate so much manure pollution, but it's harvestable. Capitalism isn't good at efficiency. Thanks for the response,. I took a fast look at the article, obv. didn't read carefully.
posted by theora55 at 2:05 PM on June 20
posted by theora55 at 2:05 PM on June 20
5,850,000 acres; which is 23,677 square kilometres; or 9140 square miles.
i cannot believe that isht
posted by HearHere at 3:55 PM on June 20
i cannot believe that isht
posted by HearHere at 3:55 PM on June 20
Glad that somebody is doing something about the sheer amount of bullshit coming out of Canberra.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:40 PM on June 20
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:40 PM on June 20
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posted by GenjiandProust at 6:59 AM on June 20 [3 favorites]