Minimizing Your Herd’s Environmental Impact
Article and photo courtesy of Central Life Sciences
Today’s environmentally conscious producer has a lot to worry about. Kenley Rogers, Sales Development Manager at Central Life Sciences, says producers must recognize that sustainability is at the top of the mind across the industry more than ever before. From manure management, proper grazing, water protection, and more— producers can feel overwhelmed when fly control is added to their list of responsibilities.
Altosid® IGR can aid in this burden. Rather than killing horn flies through direct toxicity, Altosid® IGR controls these flies by interrupting their life cycle. Unlike traditional insecticides that rely on direct toxicity to kill flies, Altosid® IGR targets the horn fly larvae by interrupting their life cycle. The active ingredient in Altosid® IGR, (S)-methoprene, mimics naturally occurring insect biochemicals responsible for insect development. This approach prevents horn fly larvae from maturing into adults, effectively breaking the life cycle and lowering the overall fly population.
“I do think that producers today are getting a little more attention when it does come to the environment and how they’re treating their livestock, whether that’s humane handling and practices, vaccinations, treatments, but also when it comes to the environment,” said Kenley Rogers. “We’re raising these livestock on the land, and we need to be mindful of that and make sure that land is going to be here for years to come.”
Altosid® IGR is able to exert its effect at very small concentrations, making it an ideal fly control choice for today’s environmentally responsible producer. Unlike residual insecticides such as organophosphates, which are toxic to beneficial insects like coprophagous flies, beetles, parasitic wasps, and dung beetles, Altosid® IGR does not disrupt dung composition or harm beneficial insects. This ensures that the natural ecosystem remains balanced and healthy while controlling pests. This highlights the minimal impact on non-target species with Altosid® IGR.
Altosid® IGR and its active ingredient have been studied extensively to understand its environmental impact. Broken down, here are the findings— where it counts.
Soil — Remaining bound in the top few centimeters of the soil even after repeated washings with water, the active ingredient in Altosid® IGR will not persist, leach, or contaminate groundwater. It is rapidly broken down in the soil with a half-life of 10 days and is readily degraded by sunlight and microbial action.
Plants — Metabolized quickly, this feed-through fly control product has a half-life of less than two days and is further degraded to normal plant nutrients. The active ingredient is not absorbed into the plant and is not a foliar systemic.
Food — In a model ecosystem study, it was shown that the active ingredient in Altosid® IGR does not accumulate in the food chain.
Beneficial insects — The manure of treated cattle does not affect beneficial insects, such as dung beetles and bees.
“Altosid IGR does not have any direct toxicity or impact on the dung beetle,” Rogers said. “The dung beetle in the beef cattle world removes upwards of about 13 pounds of manure per day. That’s a big deal when you’re talking to beef producers. The dung beetle is another environmental pest that can work to our advantage to better the environment for the animals.”
Altosid® IGR also can be easily implemented into an insect pest management program. While there’s no silver bullet solution to fly control, Rogers urges producers to incorporate a variety of strategies to help curb flies.
“It’s really important to make sure that we’re incorporating different aspects of an Integrated Pest Management program, and Altosid IGR is a great core for that program,” Rogers said. “It’s always great to supplement with some pour-ons, some back rubbers, some oilers, ear tags if that’s something that a producer is willing to do. The way the Altosid IGR works, it should control horn flies enough to allow producers to reduce the use of some of those other products as well.”
Rogers says the distinguishing factor between Altosid® IGR and other alternatives is the product’s effectiveness against insects.
“Altosid IGR doesn’t have any sort of toxicity concerns when it comes to human health, there’s no meat or milk withdrawal with any of the products, and they really just don’t have that impact on the environment that a lot of those conventional pesticides do on the market today,” Rogers said. “The products are easily broken down in the environment, via sunlight, soul enzymes, things like that, so there’s no concern about it going into any of the streams or waterways.”
(S)-Methoprene demonstrates a strong safety profile for cattle, humans, and the environment. Its rapid degradation, minimal persistence, and lack of bioaccumulation highlight its environmental compatibility. Extensive safety studies and regulatory approvals confirm its reliability and safety. Understanding these aspects helps stakeholders make informed decisions about using (S)-methoprene in their pest control practices.
“Whenever I have a producer ask about the most environmentally conscious product, and economical product on the market, I 100% say that Altosid IGR would be the best choice,” Rogers said.
Central Life Sciences has field technicians out in the field delivering complete support to help producers get the most out of Altosid® IGR. Their dedication to supporting their products goes beyond research and development. Their Technical Services Group provides real-world solutions and education to livestock producers.
Altosid® IGR represents a strategic solution for producers striving to minimize their herd’s environmental footprint while effectively managing fly populations. Unlike conventional insecticides, which can harm beneficial insects and disrupt ecosystem balance, Altosid® IGR uses an innovative approach to control horn flies by targeting their life cycle. Its active ingredient, (S)-methoprene, disrupts fly development without direct toxicity, ensuring minimal impact on non-target species and the environment.
The product’s low concentration requirements and rapid degradation further underscore its suitability for environmentally conscious farming practices. As Rogers emphasizes, integrating Altosid® IGR into a broader Integrated Pest Management program not only enhances fly control but also supports sustainable livestock management. Central Life Sciences’ commitment to ongoing support and education reinforces the practical benefits of Altosid® IGR, making it a compelling choice for producers who prioritize both effectiveness and environmental stewardship. To learn more and contact a sales representative to integrate Altosid® IGR on your operation, visit AltosidIGR.com.
Altosid is a trademark of Wellmark International.
