THE GOOD: Power of Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects are your farm’s unsung heroes. Dr. John Tooker’s research proves diverse habitats supercharge their activity, curbing outbreaks. Lundgren’s findings add that regenerative fields teem with two to three times more of these allies. Healthy soils pitch in, too—microbes support tiny critters like springtails, keeping predators fed year-round. These natural enemies rival any chemical fix when given the right conditions.
THE BAD: Hidden Costs of Insecticides
Neonicotinoids sound like a quick win—coating seeds to zap pests—but they’re a double-edged sword. They linger in plants and soil (up to 7,000 days), killing beneficials like ground beetles through secondary exposure. Tooker’s 2020 study found they halve predator numbers, sparking pest resurgences. Dr. Jon Lundgren ties their persistence to pollinator and aquatic life declines. Worse, their seedling protection fades in 10-14 days, leaving mid-season pests like rootworms unscathed. Broadcast sprays? They’re just as bad, wiping out beneficials and inviting secondary outbreaks. The cost isn’t just ecological—it’s a cycle of dependency.
THE UGLY: The Bee Crisis: A Wake-Up Call
Across the U.S., bee populations are sounding an alarm. Managed honey bee colonies face 45.5% annual losses (Bee Informed Partnership), with whispers on X of 70% losses in 2025 — yet to be confirmed. Wild bees fare worse: a 62.5% drop in Georgia forests and a 57% range decline for the western bumble bee signal a biodiversity crisis. Parasites like varroa mites, pesticides like neonics, habitat loss, and climate change are culprits. Bees pollinate $15-20 billion in crops yearly, and their decline threatens food security. Regenerative steps—wildflower habitats, reduced chemicals—could stem the tide, but time’s running short.
Read more about pest challenges and how growers can improve their with biodiversity and healthy organic matter by clicking the Pests are Opportunists button below.
To hear and learn more from Dr. Jon Lundgren, watch his talk at the 2025 No-Till Conference by clicking here.
