Dung Beetles and Sustainable Farming: Interactions and Approaches

This webinar explores the vital yet often overlooked role of invertebrates in long-term sustainable soil management. Focusing on dung beetles and their contribution to livestock nutrient recycling, we’ll discuss how these key species support soil health — and how we, in turn, can manage our farming systems to better support them.

There are a lot of considerations for a sustainable farming future, but one crucial foundation shared throughout is healthy soils. Without them, food production, biodiversity, and long-term productivity are all at risk. There are many routes to improving soil health, but true progress comes from combining approaches in a synergistic and holistic way.

Among the most important yet often overlooked contributors to soil health are dung beetles. These remarkable invertebrates form a vital part of the nutrient recycling process — breaking down livestock manure, returning nutrients to the soil, and creating pathways that benefit other soil engineers like earthworms.

This webinar will explore the ecological role and agricultural importance of dung beetles, offering insight into how supporting their populations can directly enhance soil function and farm sustainability. We’ll also share real-world case studies and practical methods for assessing dung beetle activity on your own farm, helping you benchmark progress and measure impact over time.

Dr David Cutress is a researcher historically focussed on livestock parasites and their impact on animal health and production. He delivers postgraduate teaching through the IBERS Distance Learning programme, supporting agrifood professionals in areas including soil science, livestock production, and animal health and welfare. Within his collaborative role at Farming Connect, David has contributed to project development, research synthesis, and knowledge exchange across a broad range of agricultural and sustainability topics.

Lynfa Davies is the Biodiversity Officer for Farming Connect where she works with colleagues and farmers to investigate ways of appreciating and involving biodiversity in farming systems across Wales. Lynfa uses every opportunity to highlight the importance of dung beetles and she will outline a project where she has worked alongside efforts to reduce anthelmintic treatments in a sheep flock by monitoring and recording dung beetle species.

Beginner - Intermediate

A basic understanding of pasture-based farming