Cowra Men's Shed members have offered up their time and expertise to assist with the construction of dung beetle nurseries for Mid Lachlan Landcare.
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The men's shed members have been working hard to build 24 dung beetle nurseries needed for Mid Lachlan Landcare's special Bubas bison farm breeding project.
Twelve farms around the region are taking part in the program with two nurseries been placed at each farm.
Bernard Doube of Dung Beetle Solutions will assist Mid Lachlan Landcare with distribution of the nurseries at the end of May and will run workshops around the region on dung beetles and their importance.
Contact midlachlanlandcare@gmail.com if you would like to know more information about these workshops.
Central Tablelands Local Land Services is providing the funding to allow this project to happen.
The Cowra region currently has a gap in dung beetle activity during the winter period and, through establishing this beetle, Mid Lachlan Landcare is hoping to reap the benefits of dung beetles further into the year.
A number of landholders in the region purchased colonies of the dung beetles in about 2014 and beetles can still be found on their properties, suggesting the beetles can survive in this area.
Dung beetles will save farmers money by:
- improving pasture production
- leading to greater carrying capacity
- reducing fertiliser use
- improving parasite control
- allowing more water to be stored in subsoil
- allowing more earthworms
- providing free clay spreading
Dung beetles can provide a self-renewing environmentally friendly solution to dung accumulation while, at the same time, improving pasture production, water quality and carbon storage in the soil.