October 14, 2015
Dung beetles are probably the hardest working immigrants in Australia … after all, without them, we could be up to our necks in cattle poo!
The beetles, imported into Australia since the 1960s, eat cattle dung and also use the pads as breeding grounds.
They also recycle nutrients to the soil, and as well as reducing the number of flies and parasites.
The South Burnett Grazing Network – with support from the Federal Government, the Burnett Mary Regional Group, the National Landcare Program and the Regional Landcare Facilitator program – is bringing a dung beetle expert to Kingaroy to explain the benefits of these tiny little farm workers.
Bernard Doube, from Dung Beetle Solutions Australia, will be speaking at the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception Room on Monday, November 2, from 9:30am to 3:00pm.
Topics to be covered include:
- Improving soil health
- Recycling nutrients
- Increased pasture production
- Control of gut parasites, and bush and buffalo flies
- Local and introduced dung beetles
- Dung beetle identification and life cycle
Graziers have been invited to bring along any dung beetles for identification.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
After lunch, there will be a short visit to a local paddock.
Cost is $10 and bookings are essential.
For more information and to book, contact Vikki Evans or Kay Enkelmann on (07) 4169-0720 before October 29.
