Dealing With Flies
Welcome to Open Range, I’m Susan Allen. Stay tuned because after the break I’ll check in with our field reporter, Greg Martin for the AgriBeef Minute.
I’m Greg Martin with the Open Range AgriBeef Minute. It’s like the story of David and Goliath. Cattle are tough animals but when beset upon by biting horn flies they can almost literally be brought to their knees. Now a unique approach to the fly problem is taking hold.
ANDERSON: I told someone the other day I put it right up there with Powder River panels and gooseneck trailers of what it’s capable of doing to the industry because I’ve actually - as almost every rancher has - I’ve used every fly tag combination and every pour on. How a fly can build up a resistance, that just baffles me.
That’s cattle rancher Terry Anderson who has started using a mineral supplement containing methoprene.
ANDERSON: The amazing thing is - I think it’s recommended you start feeding them like a month before the fly season starts and the whole idea is that methoprene goes through their system and accumulates in the cow manure and that’s where the horn flies lay their eggs and when the larvae hatch then it kills them.
The methoprene does not harm or affect the cattle in anyway other than to help keep down the fly numbers.
ANDERSON: The lack of a fly control program in the summer for cattle is almost abusive. It is abusive because it just drives the cattle crazy. So if you can keep those cattle totally comfortable obviously the cow themselves are going to be in better shape - they’re going to milk better. It’s also effective for the calves, it’s just taking better care of the cattle.
I’m Greg Martin and that’s today’s AgriBeef Minute.
Thanks Greg. Don’t forget Greg will be back each Wednesday with the AgriBeef Minute. Agri Beef Co - Real Families, Great People, Exceptional Beef. I’m Susan Allen.
