HEAL ▶▶▶TH
Fly control solutions – what works for your farm?
BY REBECCA KWAKMAN H
ouse flies and stable flies are two of the most com- mon fly species found on dairy farms, and they are a thorn in the side of many dairy farmers world- wide. Besides being a nuisance and a real buzz kill
both for farmers and their cattle, their presence is a stress fac- tor for cows, curbing milk production. Furthermore, research shows that flies transmit a wide variety of livestock diseases, ranging from diarrhoea and mastitis to Rift Valley fever and Bluetongue. The presence of house flies or stable flies on a dairy farm is therefore not only stressful, it is also dangerous. Flies affect the cows’ well-being and the farmer’s financial well-being, as their presence often leads to costly veterinary visits and reduced milk production. Getting rid of house flies and stable flies is a top priority for farmers, but implement- ing the right fly control solution can be a tricky task. In this article we discuss six solutions to help you choose the right approach for your farm.
Sanitation The first step to successfully controlling and eradicating house flies and stable flies on a dairy farm is ensuring
Choosing the right fly control solution for your farm can be tricky. We highlight some different methods to help you pick the best solution for your operation.
adequate sanitation is in place, as this removes fly breeding sites. Without sanitation, any further treatments – such as larvi cides, described further below – may not have the desired effect or deliver long-term results. Proper handling of manure is especially vital in the fly breeding season. Emeritus Professor at the University of Kentucky Lee Townsend argues that during the fly breeding season, manure should be removed from the barns, loafing sheds and calf pens at least twice a week to prevent fly breeding sites from pop- ping up on your farm. The manure should be spread out thinly on crop land so that it can dry. If stored in liquid manure pits or lagoons, the manure should be agitated to prevent the breed- ing of rat-tailed maggots. Cleaning manure out of all the little nooks and crannies – from corners, around posts and under feed bunks – is necessary to prevent flies from breeding here. Additionally, it is important to clean up rotting hay or straw, silage and other spilled feeds regularly and to repair leaking water troughs and plumbing when necessary.
▶ DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 8, No. 3, 2021
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PHOTO: DAVID CARDINEZ I PIXABAY
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