(IARN) — Pollinators have been a topic of discussion for a couple of years in agriculture. Sometimes the discussions have been less than civilized, but they are happening all the same. Some in agriculture are deciding that it is better to try and do something to help rather than dig in their heels and fight. Ag Companies are joining them. BASF first launched its Monarch Challenge in 2015. Every year they challenge more farmers to do better in protecting habitat for the winged critters. In 2019, they issued the challenge again, and the results this year were better than expected.
The goal of the monarch challenge is to get farmers to provide some habitat for the monarch butterflies. The essential piece in this habitat is the milkweed. This sticky and gooey weed is the primary food source for monarch caterpillars. Chip Schilling is the Sustainability Strategy manager at BASF. He talks about the milkweed’s importance.
See the complete story, along with audio from Chip Schilling at iowaagribusinessradionetwork.com.
Story and image courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network
