Good things don’t always come in small packages. Take the fly for instance. Tiny little flies cost the beef industry more than a billion dollars each year. If you break that down, flies can cost you, the producer, $30-50 per pair if you are not engaging in effective fly control management.
Using a fly control mineral for cattle is one preventative measure for minimizing fly pressure. However, there are several great mineral options out there, and they are most effective when used synergistically with at least one other fly control method. The great thing about cattle production is that producers do have options.
Fly control for cattle is important for several reasons. Let’s explore five reasons why you should invest in fly control mineral for cattle.
Animal welfare
Flies can cause significant distress to cattle. Flies bite and irritate the animals, leading to discomfort, stress and potential health issues. This can negatively affect the well-being of the cattle, impacting their behavior, weight gain and overall health.
Health management
Flies transmit diseases and parasites to cattle. For example, stable flies and horn flies can transmit various pathogens and parasites that cause diseases such as anaplasmosis and summer mastitis.
Controlling fly populations helps reduce the risk of disease transmission and minimizes the need for medical interventions. This means less spent on treatments like antibiotics or vaccines.
Production efficiency
Fly infestations can reduce cattle productivity and efficiency. Cattle spend a significant amount of time and energy trying to relieve the irritation caused by flies, which can reduce their feed intake, weight gain and milk production.
By controlling fly populations, cattle can allocate more energy toward growth, reproduction and milk production. This improves overall efficiency and profitability for cattle operations.
Environmental management
Fly populations can also impact the environment surrounding cattle operations. Large numbers of flies can create nuisance issues for both animals and humans in the vicinity. Furthermore, fly breeding sites, such as manure piles, can contribute to environmental pollution and unpleasant odors.
Effective fly control helps mitigate these environmental concerns and maintains a healthier environment for both cattle and humans.
Cost savings
Implementing fly control measures can result in cost savings for cattle producers. While initial investments may be required for fly control products and management strategies, the benefits in terms of improved animal health, productivity and environmental management can outweigh these costs over time. Additionally, preventing disease outbreaks and reducing the need for medical treatments can help minimize veterinary expenses.
Overall, fly control is an essential component of cattle management practices. It contributes to animal welfare, health management, production efficiency, environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness in cattle operations.
The great thing about cattle production is that producers have options.
Fly control options
There are several fly control options available to producers. We recommend feeding a fly control mineral for cattle in conjunction with at least one other protocol for best results.
Some feed additives contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) or larvicides that pass through the digestive system of cattle and prevent the development of fly larvae in manure. These additives can help reduce fly populations at the source.
Most humans are not attracted to someone with garlic breath. Or with garlic seeping from their pores. That is the effect of providing garlic in your fly control mineral for cattle. Although studies are limited, one Canadian study shows that cattle that were fed garlic powder during prime grazing season carried significantly lower fly loads.
When garlic is ingested, the odor is emitted through the animal’s skin and breath. Flies are repelled by the smell and don’t land on the animals. Garlic, to deter insects, will not kill the flies, but it will help prevent the flies from landing on and biting your cattle.
Cattle producers can use insecticides in various forms, including sprays, pour-ons, dusts and insecticide-infused ear tags. These products are designed to kill adult flies and/or inhibit the development of fly larvae.
Proper manure management is crucial for controlling fly populations. Removing or spreading manure regularly reduces fly breeding sites and limits the availability of organic matter for fly larvae development. Composting manure can also help kill fly eggs and larvae.
Pasture rotation can be an effective strategy for fly management in cattle by disrupting the life cycle of flies and reducing their breeding opportunities.
Pasture rotation involves moving cattle to different grazing areas or paddocks on a rotational basis. By rotating cattle to fresh pastures regularly, manure is distributed more evenly across the landscape rather than accumulating in concentrated areas. This helps reduce the buildup of manure, which serves as a primary breeding ground for flies.
Providing adequate shade and shelter for cattle can help minimize their exposure to flies during peak fly activity periods, such as hot summer months.
Some research explores the possibility of breeding cattle with inherent resistance or tolerance to fly infestations. This approach is still in its early stages, and there are often more important traits to select from. Selecting traits that make cattle less attractive to flies or more resilient to fly-related stressors could potentially contribute to long-term fly control strategies.
By employing a combination of these fly control options and implementing integrated pest management practices, cattle producers can effectively manage fly populations in their operations. Additionally, you will be promoting animal welfare and environmental sustainability and increasing production efficiency in their operations. — BioZyme
