Livestock Management RANCHING
Stable or barn fl y: Stomoxys calcitrans, also known as the stable or barn fl y, is a biting fl y that feeds on the legs of cattle. This species can wander for miles in search of a host and can migrate from neighboring untreated pastures, helping to spread disease and caus- ing irritation that result in decreased gain and effi cacy. Affected cattle are often seen stomping, wading into water and bunching together with switching tails to escape the bites of these pests.
Launch Your Assault Once you have a snapshot of the culprits you need
to treat, you can begin to form your management plan. Fly control has several approaches, such as attacking the fl ies before they become adults, interrupting their life cycle, and the control of adult fl ies, usually with insecticides. A few elements to take into account when deciding
on your approach are the economics and logistics of each method. Will you be applying a product to each cow or will application be up to the animal? How long will the method last and how often will you have to reapply? How large is your operation? What is the withdrawal time of chemical products? Be sure to read the instructions and labels for any
products you choose. Some control methods are limited for how long the product is effective and are recom- mended only for short periods of time, to decrease the possibility of fl ies becoming resistant. Most methods that require insecticides suggest waiting until the num- ber of insects reaches 100 to 200 per cow — usually 50 will cover a palm-sized area. Ear tags: Ear tags are made of a plastic tag impregnated with insecticide. Multiple formulas are available and it is advisable to rotate the active ingredient used so fl ies do not become resistant. Read all labels and instruc- tions to make sure you are using them at the right time and for the appropriate amount of time. • Using tags too early in the fl y season can increase the possibility of fl y resistance. Remove tags as the number of fl ies decreases during the season.
• There are a number of active ingredients available, and rotation is recommended to prevent resistance, usually yearly or by season.
• Best for control of face fl ies, but may not be effective against horn or stable fl ies. A typical recommenda- tion is 2 tags per cow. Tagging and removing tags will require close con-
tact. Consider taking advantage of this time to run additional tests, treatments or vaccinations.
52 The Cattleman January 2016
Sprays, Dusts or Pour-Ons: Sprays or pour-ons are ap- plied to cattle as indicated. It is recommended that the products not be used more than twice a year, such as in January and June, to prevent resistance. • Close contact is required, so consideration must be made if you must handle cattle in order to treat.
• Effectiveness wears off faster than other methods, especially in rain.
• Can be costly if you have a large number of ani- mals to treat.
Rubs or Dusters: Rubs and dusters treat animals with insecticide as they approach a feeder, trough or water source. • Application is up to the animal, so consistent ap- plication across the herd cannot be guaranteed.
• Bags and dusters must be charged often, especially due to weather such as rain.
• Usually stationary and not easily moved if cattle are rotated often or move large distances from rubs.
• Good for multiple types of fl ies. Feed Throughs: Feed throughs are usually mineral tubs or a product added to supplements that are an insect growth regulator (IGR) ingested by the animal. The chemical is safe for the cow but interrupts the life cycle of the fl y, so that eggs laid in the cow’s waste do not reach maturity. • Must begin using before fl ies become a problem. • Does not affect adult fl ies, so alternative methods of adult fl y control are recommended.
• Application is up to the animal, so consistent use at appropriate doses cannot be guaranteed.
• Read labels and instructions for proper dosage and use.
Biological Control: Particular species of wasps or other fl ying insects are natural predators that feed on the different life stages of fl ies. They can be purchased from retailers. • Must be replenished often, such as weekly or monthly. • Not recommended if you are using an insecticidal method because it could kill the predator species as well.
• Must begin use before fl y population increases. • Can be hard to maintain a good population of fl y predators if cattle are spread out in large areas or travel across a wide range. Having an overall pest management strategy is your
best bet to keeping your herd healthy and content at the height of fl y season. Using multiple methods with a range of products and disciplines will help keep fl ies from bothering your cattle and stealing your profi t.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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