Certification
Low Environmental impact is critical to us and therefore, a major part of our
certification process includes monitoring of farming operations using
bio-indicators. The most important of these is the dung beetle and all
scientifically based monitoring and research is performed by the University of
Pretoria - Department of Entomology
Ancient Symbol
The ancient Egyptians noticed that the scarab beetle (also known as
coprid or dung beetles) had the ability to roll large balls of dung. Having
performed the near impossible task of moving giant blocks of stone themselves,
the Egyptians concluded that the earth was being turned by a giant scarab
beetle, so they made this amazing little creature a sacred symbol.
Eco-Balance in a Red Meat Production System
In order to produce red meat using grass as the primary source of feed, it is
critical that the eco-system of the production site is maintained in a balanced
state. The removal, therefore, of foliage from the site at a rate that exceeds
the natural replenishment rate, is a recipe for certain destruction of the
environment and the sustainability of the production site.
The movement of large animals on the ground has several effects on the soil
which in turn affects plant growth. Firstly, soil moved by walking animals
buries seeds and promotes germination. Secondly, trampling of litter promotes
its decomposition and recycling of nutrients. Thirdly, trampled material forms a
mulch layer that assists in moisture conservation.
One of the most important negative factors in the grass eco-system is the effect
of concentrated excreta by animals on the pasture. Fouled plants are temporarily
unacceptable to animals. If dung is not dispersed or decomposed rapidly, it
kills the plants and it smothers or lowers the production of the plant for up to
a year or more. Undecomposed dung therefore represents a bottleneck in the
recycling of nutrients where only about 20% of faecal nitrogen is returned to
the soil.
When dung beetles are active however, it is estimated that the beetles bury 90%
of faecal nitrogen in the soil. Research has shown that higher plant yield and
nutrient uptake was achieved due to dung beetle activity. An 11% higher crude
protein and 57% higher dry matter production was recorded near dung pads than
away from them. For this reason, the preservation of the beetle population is
critical. Therefore the use of veterinary chemicals such as tick remedies, which
have an adverse effect on the dung beetles, is strictly controlled for the
preservation of the beetles.
Healthy dung beetles follow the animals closely and within hours of defecation,
the dung is disintegrated, removed from the surface and carried deep into the
soil below. The warm dung is rolled into balls and used by the female beetle as
a medium into which she lays her eggs. These burrows not only create a nutrient
rich sponge below the soil surface which is capable of storing rain water for
the plants above, but also loosens and aerates the soil. Furthermore, ingested
seeds also lead to improved dispersal of plants. Through this action it is
estimated that a cow returns up to 95% of the nutrients consumed.
The ancient Egyptian scarab beetle therefore, is indeed still the 'sacred
symbol' of a well balanced eco-system.
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