Fly Control Available at Odiorne Feed! Rains are bringing out flies, fleas, ticks and other insects which pose a risk to livestock.  There are many options to control these – and we are standing by to pick the right type!

Feed-through:  

Mineral & protein supplements are available with Altosid IGR, which is consumed by the livestock and passes through the manure.  Fly eggs laid in fresh manure where IGR prevents their development.

PVM IGR Molasses Tubs (from Positive Feed) – is a molasses based mineral tub that is “cooked” molasses, along with our patented vein technology.

Purina Wind and Rain – Purina WR mineral tubs & bags of loose mineral come with IGR as a low cost option.

Sprays & Dust:

Permethrin 10% or Python are labeled for application directly on animals, but can also be put down in/around the pen.

 

Ear tags: 

Corathon or Tri-Zap can last up to 5 months!  Cows lactating?  Tri-Zap is labeled for lactating cows! Learn more here.

Quick Tips for Controlling Flies for your Cattle:

Now is the time to map out your fly control program. Horn flies normally begin showing up in spring when average daily temperatures reach 65º F for a period of two weeks.  They remain a nuisance until cool weather in late fall or early winter.  Here are four quick tips to help you develop an integrated management program for controlling horn flies in your cattle enterprise:

1. Clean and remove fly breeding media in confined areas.
2. Use premise sprays to kill flies in shelter and shade areas.
3. Use pour-on, spray-on, or rub-on insecticides, insecticide dusts, or ear tags to control adult flies on animals.
4. Use feed or supplemental mineral products containing an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) such as Altosid® (brand name for methoprene).  This type of feed additive passes through an animal’s digestive system relatively unchanged.  It remains effective in the manure, where it stops development of immature horn flies before they emerge as adult flies.

Altosid is available in select Purina products with the MTH designation. These products are available as both free-choice minerals and Cattle Chow products. Feed and supplemental mineral products that contain Altosid work best if they are fed in spring prior to the appearance of flies and continued until cold weather restricts fly activity in late fall.

Visit us to learn more about the Fly Control Available at Odiorne Feed!