29 November 2018
Marlborough District Councillor Geoff Evans, with Peter Buckley and Shaun Forgie, showing the beetle species available
for sale
Marlborough District Council is encouraging landowners, stock farmers and even viticulturists to purchase dung beetles,
the humble critters that dramatically improve soil fertility and water quality by tunneling through soil and burying
livestock dung.
At a briefing in Blenheim yesterday Shaun Forgie, the director of Dung Beetle Innovations, and Peter Buckley, dairy
farmer and former Waikato Federated Farmers president, explained the environmental and economic benefits of introducing
dung beetles to a group of farmers and landowners.
Alan Johnson, Council’s Environmental Science and Monitoring Manager, said Marlborough District Council is the first
South Island council and only the second in the country to offer a financial incentive to landowners to invest in the
beetles.
“Farmers can purchase beetles from Dung Beetle Innovations and Marlborough District Council will provide a 15 per cent
rebate to the first 10 landowners who get on board.”
“The environmental benefits of these creatures is very considerable, particularly for at-risk catchments in our region.”
“Of additional interest today was the fact that wine growers who run sheep through their vineyards can also benefit from
dung beetles.”
Landowners who are interested can get in touch with Mr Johnson on 03 520 7400 or email ESM@marlborough.govt.nz
Landowners can find out more and purchase beetles via https://dungbeetles.co.nz/
ends