Farming for dung beetles

The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts. In the ninth episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, delves into how dung beetles support integrated parasite management. He is joined by Claire Whittle, from LLM Farm Vets, part of the VetPartners group, and James Allen, who farms in the Cotswolds, grazing on the Bruern Estate. Both Claire and James are members of the dung beetles for farmers group, which raises awareness of the benefits of dung beetles on farmland and how farmers can help them to increase their numbers. On top of her day job as a vet, Claire has been awarded a Nuffield scholarship to research the extent to which regenerative agriculture practices can improve the health and welfare of livestock. She is grappling with the dynamics between offering the best advice for her clients’ animals and what’s best for the environment. James shares how being a first-generation farmer has helped him, as he is not constrained by how things have ‘always been done’. He uses conservation grazing practices to support wildflower meadows and soil health. We also delve into some welfare issues including how to balance the need for freedom of choice with mob grazing methods and the benefits of on farm slaughter.