Assistant Professor West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia
In 2017, the National Agricultural Statistical Service reported that the US produces more than 93 million cattle and calves on 880,000 farms. Cows can produce up to 48 kg of solid waste every day. While the nutrient run-off from potentially 1.6 trillion kg of cow poop produced every year threatens water systems, the same nutrients are vital for plant productivity and are often applied as a fertilizer on agronomic crops and restore nutrients to pasture ecosystems. In addition, in agronomic and pasture ecosystems, manure can shape the interactions of insects with plants and act as biocontrol for pests. In pasture systems, manure is recycled into grassland systems by dung beetles which can provide biological control for blood-feeding flies and parasitic worms. However, treatments for these parasites can be excreted in manure making it toxic to dung beetles. We are characterizing the dung beetle communities in WV to understand what dung beetles are present in different regions and landscapes so we can better understand how these beetles respond to the use of potentially toxic products. Protecting these beetles will not only reduce the parasite load on the landscape, but also increase pasture productivity and soil health. Ultimately, understanding the interactions between manure and insects enhances our ability to make recommendations to producers about how to manage their livestock and manure.
