Buffalo fly are small blood sucking pests that cause stress on animals…
Buffalo flies can cause production losses due to lowered weight gain, lowered milk yield and permanent hide damage. One Queensland study showed that steers protected from buffalo flies had a 14%increase in live weight gain over a 13-month period compared to unprotected steers. Another Australian study investigated weight gain over 21 weeks. Cattle that were protected from buffalo flies gained an additional 33kg compared to unprotected animals. Other studies showed that in some seasons, buffalo flies had no significant effect on weight gain.*
There are 4 methods to combat Buffalo Fly…
- Ear Tags – Insecticide-impregnated plastic ear tags slowly release OP or SP insecticides over a defined period. Cattle grooming and interaction deposits chemical from the tags onto the shoulders, back and flanks of treated animals. All cattle in a mob should be tagged correctly. Tags must be removed as recommended by the manufacturer (after 10 or 16 weeks) to avoid flies being exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of the chemical.* Our team recommends Python Insecticidal Cattle Ear Tags, which we have in stock right now!
- Sprays – Our team recommends treating in a race and not in a yard, and also following directions for effective chemical levels on your cattle. In stock we have Nucadol and Supona
- Pour On – Recommended products – Brute (ready to use with no dilution necessary) or Easy Dose (manufacturer specifications state control of Buffalo Fly for 3 weeks)
- Cattle Rubbers or Wicks – The best way for cattle to self administer fly control – Products that can be used in Cattle Rubbers – Nucadol, Easy Dose or Supona.
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*http://www.mla.com.au/
