Whey as a Natural Insecticide

Project Overview

FNC12-855
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2012: $2,568.17
Projected End Date: 12/31/2013
Region: North Central
State: Missouri
Project Coordinator:

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Vegetables: cabbages, cucurbits, eggplant, brussel sprouts
  • Animals: goats
  • Animal Products: dairy

Practices

  • Crop Production: organic fertilizers
  • Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, mentoring, networking
  • Farm Business Management: value added
  • Pest Management: prevention
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

    Proposal summary:

    Controlling or eliminating squash bugs from the plants. Squash bugs can invade and damage most forms of squash plants. Most of the time the damage is irreparable.

    Using the by-product, “whey,” as an insecticide against these bugs, will be user friendly and environmentally safe and readily available.
    Instead of pouring the whey out and not using it, it’s a great way to add back to the earth’s nutrients without chemicals.

    Some of the research I have already done with the whey from my own cheese making has shown very favorable results against the pests.

    We are hoping to meet the needs of today without sacrificing tomorrow using everything we get from our animals to grow healthier vegetables without hurting the environment.

    Our findings will be available as we go to our customers who visit us at the Local Farmers Market.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.