cattle.......flies

[DavePA]

Had purchased a product from a local feed store that was to be mixed with kerosene and used on a walk under back rub. Well it did not work as I thought it should. What do most use or recomend for fly control. Some locals use nothing more than used motor oil un-cut....any other ideas? thanks Dave " Southern PA. near MD. line"

[MikePA]

We have friends that own a fairly large dairy operation in southern PA and their solution is plenty of ventilation/moving air, nothing else.

[Airedale]

Dave, I use a rub and although it does not keep all the flies off there is a marked improvement. I use diesel for mixing the fly dope and also try hanging some long strips of a durable cloth along the length of the rub and make sure they are soaked good, this way it is applied along the sides of your cattle too. Al

[JoeR]

I was told by Cowboydoc that manure control is one of the items that will help alleviate flies. Making sure the piles don't build up etc... I have horse and tried fly spray etc... In the barn I use fly tape! Works great! My wife got chickens to control the manure piles. They free range and that has really helped too. I get flies, but not like before.

Good luck,

Joe

Yes it will cut down drastically on your fly production to keep the manure either removed or if they are on pasture go over your pasture with a flex harrow every week. In addition make sure you are worming them regularly. Also I use ear tags every year on my cattle. That helps tremendously. I also use the rubs and dust bags around the waterers and salt blocks.

The problem with the flys is they stress the cattle. The more stress to the cattle the less gain they are going to make and the poorer the mothers are going to be. You really can't do too much to control flys.

The best idea I've seen so far are dung beetles. These beetles will actually take a bury a manure pile in 24-72 hours. This effectively elimnates your fly problem and gives you tremendous soil fertility.

[dougwatts]

Doc,

I recently read an article about dung beetles; sounds like they are vital for several reasons. Do you have to take the "poop and they will come" approach, or can you buy dung beetles to speed the process?

Doug

Not many places have them Doug. You usually have to buy some to get them started on your place. Once I get this rotational grazing system in I'm going to start using them.

[Stoneheartfarm]

Cowboydoc,

Keep us posted on the beetles, (when you get them), would you?

Steve