Fly season is here! Did you know that just a few adult flies can quickly populate to 4,000+ per animal? What are you using for fly control? Fortunately there are many options available now and it’s all about what works best for your operation.

Have you considered feeding fly control through your feed or minerals? An effective product for cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs is the Purina High-Octane Fly Control Supplement with Clarify. You want to start the treatment 30 days before the last frost in the spring and 30 days after the first frost in the fall for optimal results. This supplement works by passing through the animal’s digestive system, out into the manure where fly eggs are laid, so feeding recommendations by body weight and species are recommended. 

Additional treatment options for cattle include insecticides, fly ear tags, pour-on’s or using loose mineral or mineral tubes in feed. When using loose mineral in feed, 4 oz per cow is the recommended amount. It’s important to watch the mineral intake on a regular basis and use a feeder for every 15-20 head of cow, with a water source nearby. Specific products we offer are Wind and Rain Storm All Season 7.5 Complete Altosid Fly Control Beef Cattle Mineral Feed, CPM6000, and Kent Framework 365 Mineral ADF AFC. Additionally, we offer tub-form Wind & Rain AS 4 Tub Altosid and Purina EquiTub® Horse Supplement with Fly Control.

Enjoy the summer and help your animals do the same by controlling the flies! Need more information or still have questions? Reach out today or contact one of our Livestock Nutrition Advisors.

Written by Alison Bishop,

Livestock Nutrition Advisor