10/21/2009 02:09PM
Horn flies are bloodsucking insects that can be seen on the backs and
sides of beef and dairy cattle during most of the summer. These flies
spend virtually all of their time on animals. They use a tubular
mouthpart to pierce the skin and get a blood meal.
10/13/2009 01:27PM
Face flies are one of the most difficult pasture pests to control. They
are on cattle only for short periods of time during the day and stay
mostly on the head, which is difficult to treat with insecticides. Face
flies use an abrasive sponging mouthpart to stimulate tear flow from
the eyes.
10/06/2009 09:58AM
The stable fly and house fly are the major insect pests associated with
cattle feedlots. The stable fly irritates cattle by biting and feeding
on blood, causing cattle to gain less weight. The house fly is more of
a nuisance, that causes irritation to people at or near the facility.
10/02/2009 11:29AM
Lice are small, flat-bodied insects with legs modified for grasping
hairs. They cannot survive off of the animal for more than a few days.
Sucking lice, with their narrow, pointed heads, are blood feeders.
Biting lice feed by scraping material from the skin and base of the
hairs.
09/28/2009 01:36PM
Insecticide-impregnated cattle ear tags release small amounts of an
insecticide which are distributed over the animal during grooming or
rubbing. In general, ear tags have provided excellent, long term
control of horn flies and a reduction in face fly numbers.
09/24/2009 02:14PM
Fly problems started early this year for cattle producers and have
continued to be a challenge. Heavy fly infestations can cause stress to
your cattle, leading to poor weight gains and decreased milk
production. Flies can also spread disease-causing pathogens, leading to
pinkeye or mastitis in cattle.
09/24/2009 02:06PM
As the grazing season progresses, fly control will begin. The easiest
answer is to do nothing and hope that horn fly populations remain less
than 100 per side of the animal. Several research studies, including
those conducted in North Dakota, indicate that economic losses in cow
and calf productivity occur when the biting horn fly population is
greater than 200 flies per animal.
08/28/2009 03:16PM
Studies in Lincoln, Nebraska show that catnip, a native mint plant
contains nepetalactone compounds that are effective in controlling at
least 13 families of insects according to Farmandranchguide.com.
08/26/2009 08:05AM
Rangeland plants may be harboring a virus that grasshoppers are transmitting to cattle, horses and other hoofed mammals, according to a published research study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.