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Flies can have long-lasting effects on cattle

An industry expert says flies can have long-lasting effects on cattle.

Dennis Meyer, with Central Life Sciences, says fly bites can often lead to infection.

“Which is the primary cause of contagious mastitis.”  He says, “Once mastitis effects that animal’s mammary gland, she can’t produce enough milk to feed the calf properly.  The result is the calf has a weaning weight of 20 to 50 pounds less than it normally would.”

He tells Brownfield…

“That cow won’t settle.”  He says, “She won’t breed back because of that infection in that mammary.  And then lastly, what will happen is a greater incidence of abortion in those very same cattle, so it’s a cascading effect.  Most farmers don’t even know it’s happening.”

Meyer says cattle harassed by flies also gain weight less efficiently.

“Cattle in the feedlot that are dancing around trying to get those flies off their legs,” he says, “you’re using up energy and not eating and that’s effecting your feed efficiency.”

He says fly control products that include insect growth regulators have shown to be more effective and environmentally friendly than insecticide sprays.

AUDIO: Dennis Meyer – Central Life Sciences