Tag: Central Life Sciences

The Threat of Beef Heifer Mastitis

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The Threat of Beef Heifer Mastitis

Cattlemen know that protecting their cattle operations from threats is essential to remaining profitable and productive. Heifer mastitis in beef herds is a potentially devastating threat for cattle herds, as it can quickly spread and have a significant impact on both animal health and your bottom line. Heifer mastitis, characterized by the inflammation and infection of one or more teats prior to the heifer’s first calf, can destroy the milk-producing tissues within the affected teats and often leads to the development of blind quarters. Blind quarters result in decreased milk production for life and will affect future calf weaning weights.

The first step in protecting your cattle against the damaging threat of heifer mastitis is understanding the disease and the role horn flies play. Then, you can better implement a plan to protect the future of your herd.

The Role of Horn Flies in Mastitis Spread

One of the key contributors to heifer mastitis is the presence of horn flies. These persistent insects are known to feed on the blood vessels in the skin of the teats, causing irritation and transferring mastitis-causing bacteria. Horn flies can carry these harmful bacteria from one animal to another, allowing the bacteria to enter the teat and move throughout the quarter, inflicting damage on the milk-producing tissues. The potential for the rapid spread of mastitis within a herd is supported by the horn fly’s close association with the herd and the need for frequent blood meals.

According to Dr. Steven Nickerson at the University of Georgia, 75% of retained heifer herds surveyed had incidences of heifer mastitis. If the herd had a fly control program, incidents of heifer mastitis dropped by 55%. By implementing an effective fly control program to help prevent cases of mastitis, you can improve the overall health of the herd and protect the future productivity of the heifers.

Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is a decisive plan to control a pest that incorporates multiple forms of pest control. The IPM can be tailored based on the herd’s needs and limitations of labor, time or cost. The key component to any IPM program is PIE – Plan – Implement – Evaluate. Planning your IPM can start with identifying your unique needs and the target pest. Once a plan is created, implement the IPM for your herd and evaluate it to adjust it as needed effectively. Cattle producers can ensure optimal herd performance and well-being while contributing to a healthier bottom line by utilizing a targeted Integrated Pest Management plan.

To have an effective IPM program, one should include the following tactics:
  1. Evaluate the horn fly population by on-animal counts. While establishing a solid Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is crucial, monitoring is just as vital. Regularly assessing fly populations on the cattle with population estimates or fly counts allows cattle operators to evaluate and fine-tune their strategies. The economic threshold for horn flies on beef cattle is 200 horn flies per animal. Control methods must be implemented when populations exceed 200 per animal to avoid impacting the herd’s bottom line.
  2. Protect the horn flies’ natural enemies. Avoid spraying general insecticides and limit the use of systemic pour-on endectocides to help conserve the naturally found dung beetles and other predatory beetles that feed on the larvae found in the manure pats. By protecting the horn flies’ natural enemies, cattle producers can utilize biological control as an eco-friendly approach to pest management.
  3. Rotate the Mode of Action. When using topical insecticides like insecticidal ear tags, sprays, and pour-ons, rotate the Mode of Action, not the active ingredient, to avoid contributing to the horn fly populations’ genetic insecticidal resistance.
  4. Be preventative. Use a targeted preventative product, like Altosid® IGR, a labor-free feed-through fly control product.

Targeted Horn Fly Treatment Program

Altosid® IGR is a feed-through fly-control solution containing the active ingredient (s)methoprene, mimicking a unique biochemical in insects responsible for insect development. When fed to heifers in their daily mineral supplement, Altosid® IGR moves through the digestive system and treats their manure, effectively controlling the horn fly population by treating where horn flies develop. In more than 30 years of use, there have been no known cases of insecticide resistance to Altosid® IGR. Altosid® IGR is effective in controlling horn flies that are resistant to organophosphates and pyrethroids commonly used in conventional topical horn fly control products.

By controlling horn flies, producers can take the first step to reduce the occurrence and impact of heifer mastitis and blind quarters in their herd. By implementing a targeted horn fly treatment program established around the preventative control of Altosid® IGR, producers can keep cattle healthy and productive now and for years to come.

Trust the first and proven feed-through for horn fly control that delivers proven ROI. For more information, visit AltosidIGR.com.

Article and Photo courtesy of Central Life Sciences

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Top Tips for Comfort During the Summer Heat

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Keeping Cattle Cool: Top Tips for Comfort During the Summer Heat

As summer temperatures continue into August, cattle producers are still facing the challenge of keeping their herds comfortable in the heat. Cattle can experience stress due to their limited ability to cool down through sweating the way humans do. Cattle rely on respiration to stay cool, and have to work harder to stay cool in the summer, especially when the heat of the day climbs above 80 degrees. And it isn’t just a matter of general discomfort – the stress high temperatures put on cattle can lead to decreased breeding efficiency, lower milk production, dehydration, heat exhaustion, compromised immune systems and unhealthy weight gains.

It’s crucial to keep cattle cool during hot weather to maintain their health and to avoid a negative impact on your bottom line. Fortunately, there are effective strategies for ensuring your cattle stay cool and healthy during the hot summer months. Here are the top ways to manage cattle comfort in the heat:

1. Provide Plenty of Shade and Increase Airflow

Having shaded areas available for cattle to shelter is crucial, and is especially important to consider for cattle with darker coats that absorb more heat. Making sure cattle have access to trees, open sheds, or covered structures will help offer relief from direct sunlight. When cattle must be sheltered in enclosed barns, ensure that ventilation systems are functional, and consider adding fans to increase airflow.

2. Maintain Clean and Dry Bedding

Rest is essential to keeping cattle comfortable, so maintaining clean and dry bedding is mission critical. If not properly managed, however, bedding can quickly become a breeding ground for flies, an added problem for cattle seeking rest in hot temperatures. Regularly cleaning and replacing bedding will help keep it dry and free from contaminants. This will not only help with cattle comfort but will also have the added benefit of reducing the risk of fly infestations.

3. Keep Cattle Well-Hydrated

Just like with humans, hydration is a must during the summer. Cattle will require even more water to stay hydrated. Ensure a constant supply of clean, fresh water, and regularly check for contaminants like debris or excrement. Make sure to place water sources in shaded areas and consider insulating water pipes to keep the water cool.

4. Adjust Feeding Times to Account for Heat

Heat is an appetite suppressant, so cattle are less likely to feed properly during the hottest parts of the day. To help ensure they maintain their feed intake, schedule feeding times during cooler periods, such as early morning or late evening. This adjustment can help avoid heat stress and maintain productivity.

5. Monitor for Heat Stress

Recognizing the signs of heat stress early can prevent serious health issues for your cattle. In the hottest days of summer, however, some heat stress may be unavoidable, so be on the lookout for symptoms. Signs of heat stress in your cattle could include elevated breathing rates, drooling, open-mouth breathing, restlessness, or cattle grouping together. The USDA Agricultural Research Service identifies six stages of heat stress, ranging from mild to severe. Understanding these stages helps you respond quickly and effectively:

  • Breathing rate starts to increase, cattle seem agitated, and they spend more time on their feet.
  • Breathing rate continues to rise, a slight amount of drooling may be noticed, with most animals becoming agitated and staying on their feet.
  • Breathing rate is notably higher, drooling or foaming at the mouth is more pronounced, with a majority of cattle showing signs of restlessness and starting to gather in groups.
  • Breathing rate is high, cattle begin breathing with their mouths open, and most of them are standing and might cluster together. Some drooling is visible.
  • Breathing becomes more intense, with cattle pushing from their sides, breathing through open mouths with their tongues sticking out, and possible drooling. Cattle are likely to be restless and standing.
  • Cattle breathe heavily with their mouths open and tongues protruding. Breathing becomes labored, with a decrease in respiration rate. Cattle may push from their sides when breathing, hold their heads down, and possibly separate from the herd.

6. Implement an Integrated Pest Management Program

Flies can be a significant problem during summer, leading to reduced feed efficiency and potential health issues. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program helps control fly populations through a combination of approaches:

  • Regularly clean and dispose of decaying organic matter, such as manure and spoiled feed, to eliminate fly breeding grounds.
  • Encourage natural predators like dung beetles and parasitic wasps.
  • Use fly traps and sticky tapes to capture adult flies and reduce their numbers.
  • Apply insecticides and insect growth regulators (IGRs) to target adult flies and prevent larvae from developing.

These combined methods can significantly reduce fly-related stress and promote cattle health.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your cattle remain comfortable, healthy, and productive throughout the summer. It’s essential to stay vigilant, monitor your herd for signs of heat stress, and adjust your management practices as needed to maintain optimal conditions for your cattle.

For more information on cattle comfort and fly control strategies, visit AltosidIGR.com. 

1 USDA’s Agricultural Research Service

August 2024

Article and photo courtesy of Central Life Sciences

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More Than Just Fly Control

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More Than Just Fly Control

Managing nuisance insects can be challenging without the appropriate products and integrated pest management strategies. Over time, Central Life Sciences has expanded its product range to include additional solutions for combating flies, fire ants, cockroaches, and other pests labeled as threats to your operation. Offering diverse solutions, we provide the necessary products to combat harmful insects prevalent in your environment.

Flies

Flies are more than just a nuisance on operations; they can significantly impact productivity and profitability without effective control measures in place. Managing diseases transmitted by flies requires employing various methods such as fly traps, baits, and

on-animal treatments to curb fly populations. For instance, house flies, stable flies, face flies, and horn flies are significant concerns in dairy operations due to their ability to transmit over 65 disease-causing organisms, contributing to ailments like Salmonella, mastitis, and pinkeye among cattle.

Central Life Sciences’ ClariFly® Larvicide and Altosid® IGR offer producers protection against the damaging impact of flies. The products don’t directly affect production but provide control for the nuisance flies that do. Both product lines are mixed into cattle feed and passed through the cow’s digestive system and into manure, where they interrupt the life cycle of the fly, preventing development into the adult stage. The active ingredient in each provides target-specific modes of action that are not harmful to birds, fish, reptiles, mammals, or beneficial insects.

When proper fly control isn’t in place, your animals can become stressed and uncomfortable, ultimately lowering overall productivity and profitability. 

Numerous species of flies can be a nuisance to your operation. They can not only annoy animals and humans alike but also affect animal comfort, health, and profitability. By implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program with Starbar®, ClariFly® Larvicide, and Altosid® IGR products, you can protect your operation from costly fly infestations.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches, often overlooked on agricultural operations, pose significant threats to cattle, employees, and the bottom line. Besides contaminating food and spreading diseases, they act as reservoirs and mechanical vectors for various illnesses. Transmission of these diseases includes inhalation, digestion, and cross-contamination. Not only does this affect humans, but it also affects cattle. Some of the diseases and bacteria cockroaches spread include Sarcocystosis, Salmonella, and Listeriosis.

Sarcocystosis is a disease often found in cattle, and they can contract it through ingestion after cockroaches contaminate their food. Signs of illness in cattle may include weakness, muscle spasms, weight loss, abortions, and possibly death.

When roaches crawl in filthy places, they compile Salmonella. After remaining in their digestive system for about a month, it can be transferred and released through their vomit and droppings. Salmonella can cause a wide range of clinical signs in cattle, such as joint infections, abortion, dysentery, chronic pneumonia, and sudden death. This disease is also commonly transmittable to animals by contamination of feed and water but can be anywhere, such as in animal bedding gates and pens.

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection of the brain, and it can affect a wide variety of animals, including cattle, birds, pigs, and humans. While this disease affects the nervous system, it can lead to other problems such as stillbirths, abortion, and encephalitis. The ingestion of bacteria causes most infections. However, direct contact or inhalation with the bacteria can also cause infection.

Products such as Cyanarox® Insecticidal Bait and Exhalt™ WDG Insect Growth Regulator from Starbar® allow you to protect your operation from the dangerous and costly effects of cockroaches.

Fire Ants

Fire ant infestations can irritate your cattle, causing reduced weight gains and injuries. Even more concerning, stings from fire ants can harm or even kill livestock, especially the young. When fire ants settle into pastures, they often forage for food or moisture in the same areas where livestock graze, according to NC State Extension Publications. 

Extinguish® Plus is the best answer to any fire ant problems on your operation. Extinguish® Plus was designed to offer both short-term and long-term relief from fire ants endangering pastures and livestock. It combines the killing power of an adulticide, Hydramethylnon, and the long-lasting control of the insect growth regulator (IGR), (S)-methoprene.

The dual action of an adulticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR) in Extinguish® Plus kills worker ants and sterilizes the queen, resulting in a one-two punch for fire ants, a quick reduction of mounds, and the confidence that the ants will be completely extinguished through the IGR. Extinguish® Plus is approved for use where cattle graze with no worries about withdrawal periods.

With Extinguish® Plus by your side, you’ll start to see fire ant colonies dwindle in about one week. And the entire colony could be eliminated within as little as two weeks.

Ticks

Because cattle often live and congregate closely together, ticks can multiply and spread rapidly, allowing some insects to turn into a tick infestation on cattle quickly. These blood-sucking insects spread diseases to both humans and cattle, hindering performance and bottom lines.

To effectively protect livestock from ticks, it’s essential to follow a checklist:

Regularly check livestock for ticks in key areas such as the head, ears, brisket, trailhead, udder, and between the legs. Report any findings to the local health department or state animal health official for further guidance and monitoring. Be vigilant for symptoms indicating tick-borne illnesses, such as high fever and weakness, and seek veterinary care promptly if observed. Additionally, maintain pasture hygiene by cutting down brush or weedy areas, reducing tick habitat, and minimizing exposure risk for livestock.

For effective tick control, use a product like Prolate/Lintox-HD™ Insecticide. Able to be of use as a pour-on, mist spray, or in a backrubber, its synergized formulation provides effective treatment of ticks.

Lice

Lice can cause intense irritation and affect the appearance of livestock due to rubbing and scratching. Many lice species affect cattle, but the main ones are either biting or sucking lice. Biting lice feed on skin debris while sucking lice suck blood and can cause anemia if infestations are heavy enough. 

By killing listed parasitic flies and controlling lice, Inhibidor™ Insecticidal Pour-On can enable more efficient production by keeping your animals comfortable while protecting your bottom line. Other products for lice control include Cattle Armor™ 1% Synergized Pour On, Starbar® UL-100 EC Insecticidal Spray, Prolate/Lintox HD™ Insecticide, Starbar® E-Pro Adulticide Spray, and Pyronyl™ Crop Spray.

Central Life Sciences understands the detrimental losses that these insects pose to cattle, employees, and your bottom line. With products scientifically tailored to insect behavior at pinpoint locations, our Starbar®, ClariFly® Larvicide, and Altosid® IGR products can help you keep your cattle healthy and comfortable all season. To learn more, visit www.AltosidIGR.com.

Altosid, Cattle Armor, ClariFly, Cyanarox, Exhalt, Extinguish, Inhibidor, Prolate/Lintox HD, Pyronyl, and Starbar are trademarks of Wellmark International.

Article and photos courtesy of Central Life Sciences

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