BASF Monarch Challenge gaining traction and awareness in 2020

by | Mar 2, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

Iowa is no stranger to the monarch butterfly; their migratory path comes right through our state every year. BASF held their ?Monarch Challenge? in 2019. Now they are taking the results and building on their efforts, and they are encouraging farmers to do the same. It doesn?t matter if you are using BASF products, there are still steps you can take to help preserve the monarch species, and help the population grow.

Audio: Full Interview with BASF’s Stephaine Darnell

Stephanie Darnell is with BASF and she talks about ways we can do more to preserve habitat for pollinators on our farm operations. One way is to bring more milkweed on to the underutilized ground or into a pollinator habitat.

So, what is it about the milkweed that is so important to these little critters? Darnell explains how the milkweed plant is a key partner in the monarch?s defense mechanisms.

Obviously managing the milkweed is key. Farmers will not want the weed to run rampant in their row crop fields, but there are other options for you to consider when establishing pollinator habitat.

If you decide to put in a pollinator habitat patch, it doesn?t need to be anything fancy or huge.

You can find out more information by looking at the BASF Monarch Challenge website.

BASF is also able to send established milkweed plants for you to plant in your designated pollinator habitat.

Darnell says any small steps can lead to big changes in the lives of the monarch butterflies throughout the country.