Don't lose dollars with poor fly control.
Research estimate breeders lose more than $800 million annually due to flies. These losses come as reduced performance, lower ADG, pinkeye, and lower milk production. It's too big of a problem to ignore.
Know there are four main types of flies that bother cattle.
Wet springs are favorable breeding conditions for flies and lead to big problems throughout summer. Although all flies pose risk of irritation, and thus lost dollars to beef producers, here are the four main types:
- Stable fly
This fly is found on the feet and legs of the animal. Naturally, irritation in this area causes cattle to stomp their feet and switch their tail. Stomping feet and switching the tail are actions that require energy and thus increase the maintenance requirement of the animal. Thus, an economic threshold has been studied and concluded that > 5 stable flies per leg would be a drain on performance and potential profit - Horn fly
This fly is found on the shoulders, back, and belly of the animal. These flies are the main culprit of lost performance as they utilize the host animal for 20-30 blood meals per day. Any more than 200 flies per animal will result in lost performance. These flies lay eggs in the manure, thus feed thru fly control is an effective prevention method. - Face fly
This fly obviously is found on the face around the eyes, mouth, and muzzle. It is smaller in size than the Stable or Horn fly. These flies mostly feed on secretions from the eye. The main concern with face flies is that they are the main vector for Pinkeye. These flies also reproduce in the manure. - Horse fly
This fly is notorious for biting and feeding on blood meals. It is substantially larger in size than the other types of flies. It is potentially a vector for any blood transferable disease. There is some worry that Horse flies are contributing to the spread of Anaplasmosis.
