Landcare Research scientists have received funding of about $40,000 from MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund to import and release dung beetles.
They propose to bring in new varieties of the beetle that don't exist here, and mass rear them for release on farms.
Researchers Hugh Gourlay says dung beetles are very effective at breaking down concentrations of manure in paddocks, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nutrient leaching into waterways.
He says that also makes dung much more effective as fertiliser.
Landcare will roll out the dung beetle programme over three years.