KindHarvest summary: Beneficial insects do far more than pollinate crops. They prey on pests, help regulate weeds, break down organic matter and create pathways that improve water movement through soil. A South Dakota farm shows how whole-system management can give those insects the habitat they need.
A system built around living soil
Jorgensen Land and Cattle near Ideal, South Dakota, moved away from intensive tillage and summer fallow toward continuous soil cover, minimal disturbance, living roots, diverse rotations and livestock integration. After wheat, the farm commonly plants a cover-crop mix containing eight to twelve species, which can be grazed while leaving enough residue to protect the soil.
Why diversity matters
Different plants provide food and shelter at different times, helping a wider insect community persist. Entomologist Jonathan Lundgren notes that most insect species in agricultural landscapes are beneficial or neutral. The farm therefore avoids routine insecticide use and treats insect diversity as part of its pest-management system.
Farm observations
Bryan Jorgensen reported average soil organic matter of about 4.3%, with some fields reaching 8.5%, compared with roughly 1% when the transition began. These are farm-reported results rather than a controlled comparison, but they illustrate how insect habitat, plant diversity, residue management and soil function can improve together.
Related KindHarvest reading
For another practical example, read Beneficial insects can help farmers control pests.
Source and credit
This KindHarvest Team research brief is based on reporting by Raylene Nickel for Successful Farming, published 27 June 2022. Read the full article at Agriculture.com.