Fly control on cattle

[Cabinron]

The flies on the cattle are already very BADDDDDDDDDD. What are the natural methods of control? I see the chemical applicators at Tractor Supply - the ones that deliver chemical control when the animal rubs on it (a round tube that is hung for them to walk under). Is there an organic product that would work in that applicator? Other methods???

Feeling sorry for the cows/calves!!

...ron...

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

If you have 100 AU of beef, get yourself 100 chickens and build a portable coop (Google "chicken tractor" for plans). Using electric fencing, move the cattle every day to new pasture. Keep your chicken coop in the pasture where the cattle were 3 days ago. This 3-day waiting period gives the fly larva time to grow up to chicken food size. The chickens seem to know that their lunch is buried in the middle of the pads. They will spread your manure from 1 square foot to 3 square feet and eat every parasite egg or hatched larva they can find. If you wait 4 days, you will start hatching flies, so keep moving the tractor with each cattle move.

This requires no chemicals but it does require you to be on top of your livestock movements. In the end you'll have better pastures, happier beef, and damn good eggs! Chickens prefer to be carnivores. When the owls and coyotes take your chickens, get more fertilized eggs. They're worth it. Even if you get 100% roosters, the savings from flys and fly sprays is worth it.

[Bluestem]

Ron- Did you ask this same question on the cattle forum? I use chickens also. You can't tell all on the cattle forum. they well tear you uo pretty bad. Of course, its just typewriter keys and it does not hurt to bad.

[Cabinron]

Bluestem,

Yes, I did ask the same question on the cattle forum. Thanks for your response here and on there. There is obviously no "magic bullet". I may have to experiment with various natural products in a cattle rub. That method of application is the least labor intensive. Maybe some combination of garlic, orange oil, citronella......

...ron...

[Robert D Bard]

I don't use any thing and flies are a samll problem
but I used a lot of trace minerals - DE, humates,
Redmond salt and conditioner, and kelp. when the
immune system good the flies will be samll problem.
Also watch for cows with the least flies and then
breed them and get rid of the others. Genetics
play a role is fly problem. We also have the white
birds (I think Egrets) in our pastures that eat on the
ground and sme times they stand on the cattle
and eat the flies off their backs.
I also spray our fields with sea water, molasses,
humates, and aerated compost tea.
Robert D Bard

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

I can't remember who the author was, but he noticed that some of his cattle, even bulls, naturally did not get flies. After his regular breeding requirements were met, he started breeding the animals that didn't get flies. Years later he now has an inventory of cattle without flies. I'm thinking the author was Joel Salatin in his book, Salad Bar Beef.

Betsy Ross of Ross Farms (northeast of Austin), sprays some of her cattle with actively aerated compost tea and has no fly problems on those animals.

[Robert D Bard]

Dave you are right. It is Joel that discusses breeding
in his book "Salad Bar Beef" . You do have to get the
health up first before you start sellin off your cows.
Trace minerals sre everything when discussing animal
health and people health.
Joel is ahead of most but I do disagree with his crossing
of Braman's in his herd. Their blood may help the fly
problem but eating their meat can be a bad
experience - they don't taste like an English
breed - Hereford or Angus
Robert D Bard