Fly Control Minerals for Cattle

Jul 01, 2019


Not having proper fly control can be quite costly in terms of lost production, treatment costs, and disease transmission, taking a significant toll on animals’ comfort and the operation’s bottom line.

The three major species for concern are houseflies, face flies, and horn flies. Fortunately, there are several effective options for controlling flies and minimizing their associated losses to our cattle herds.  Insecticide ear tags, pour-on products, back rubbers treated with insecticides, premise sprays, and feed-through insect growth regulators (IGRs) can all be of use in keeping fly numbers in check.
 
The most convenient method is a cattle vitamin-mineral supplement containing an IGR because this product eliminates the stress, labor, and expense of handling cattle while allowing the animals to spread the horn fly control as they graze.

Feed-through IGRs control horn fly populations by preventing the eggs from developing into adult flies, therefore greatly decreasing the numbers. The compound is consumed and passes unaffected through the animal’s digestive tract, ending up in the manure where it interrupts the life cycle of the fly, preventing development into the adult stage. For optimum fly control, these products must be consumed daily in adequate quantities to ensure that all manure contains effective levels of the IGR.

For most effective results when using Co-op Fly Control Minerals, begin feeding before flies appear in the spring. These minerals, in addition to fly control, are a complete vitamin-mineral supplement containing a feed-through insecticide and providing additional nutrients such as phosphorus, copper, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are necessary for grazing cattle to get the most from the pastures they graze.

Consult with your local Co-op feed and animal health specialist to help set up an effective fly control plan.   
 

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