Well-managed pasture leads to healthier, more productive animals and healthier soils. At the same time, poorly handled manure can be a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria and pathogens and can increase fly populations.

One creature that ought to come up more during conversations about manure management & pasturing animals is the scarab beetle, commonly known as the dung beetle. These little beetles – who happen to be the strongest insects in the world – break down manure and move nutrients into the subsoil, which improves soil structure, pasture quality and more.

Join Jacki Martinez-Perkins, MOFGA’s Dairy & Livestock Specialist, for some new ideas about how you can manage livestock and manure on your farm or homestead for the benefit of these creatures, as well as your animals & land. In this online presentation she will discuss parasite cycles & ideal rest periods for paddocks, stocking density and paddock size, scheduling rotations, manure storage and more.