Wilson Inlet Winter Active Dung Beetle Program: Phase 2

​Year-round dung beetle activity can improve productivity, reduce nutrient export to waterways, improve stock health and reduce bush flies to the benefit of tourism and mental health. This program will extend upon the success of a previous State NRM program (CSGL 21058 aka Phase 1, 2022-2023), where we established 29 dung beetle nurseries of 3 species. We expect a ten-fold increase in beetle numbers in the nurseries: 100 beetles can reproduce to 1000 beetles the following year. Emerging beetles will be moved to farms where gaps were identified in Phase 1, to establish new dung beetle nurseries for future distribution.

Cattle produce a LOT of dung. The south coast of WA has 305,172 cattle (Source: MLA) – so this region produces 1.6 million tonnes of dung each year. Australia’s large dung beetles (that could have dealt with this dilemma) went extinct with much of its megafauna, and the native ones we have left prefer macropods. By introducing suitable dung beetle species there is an enormous opportunity to recycle these nutrients and keep them out of our waterways. By burying the cow dung quickly, dung beetles recycle 80% of the nitrogen in dung back into the soil – improving soil productivity and retaining nutrients on farms where they are useful. Our region has a large gap of activity in winter / spring. In Phase 1 of this program (CSGS 21058) we partnered with Australia’s foremost dung beetle authorities to start plugging this gap. We now know where the gaps are and have amassed an army of dung beetles in 29 dung beetle breeding colonies to plug those gaps. This project is needed because of the incredible benefits that can be delivered with minimal taxpayer investment. By investing in this program State NRM can capitalise on our overachievements in CSGS 21058 where we established 25 MORE breeding colonies than was originally contracted. We did this by using our own cash funds and funding donated to us through the WICC managed Wilson Inlet Public Fund.