Review of B.ERM.0211

Summary

1. The project team exhibit great enthusiasm for their work and have put in a lot of work above and beyond that expected from the project proposal.
2. This study is the first in Australia to investigate the relationship between the role of dung beetles and their effect on pasture growth and soil fertility changes over time.
3. In response to demand for dung beetles from beef producers and catchment management authorities, the project team have developed a small dung beetle collection and distribution business.
4. The project has provided strong evidence that dung beetles support increased pasture growth, improved soil structure and improved soil fertility.
5. However, due to the small-scale nature of the study with large quantities of dung spread onto small areas, the evidence that dung beetles cause paddock-level benefits is still weak, and relies on modelling.  
6. This case needs to be proven at a paddock scale to take into account the spatial variability of dung beetles and their potential impact on pasture growth.
7. There is a case for some work to be supported to determine if dung beetles have a role in carbon sequestration in soil.
8. A hypothesis was presented that deep burial of dung released unavailable P from deeper in the soil.
9. A modelling approach to determine likely benefits from dung beetles is recommended prior to a paddock scale study being implemented.
10. Limited plot work continue to determine data for future modelling work if funding permits.