Minimizing Your Herd’s Environmental Impact

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.

The Horn Fly Threat: How to Identify, Control, and Prevent Infestations

The Horn Fly Threat: How to Identify, Control, and Prevent Infestations

Article and photo courtesy of Central Life Sciences

Did you know that the horn fly is one of the most economically damaging pests of pasture cattle in the United States? Horn flies cost cattle producers approximately $1 billion every year. But how can you fix this problem if you don’t even know what to look for?

Horn flies are the most prevalent and costly external parasites of cattle in North America. The stress caused by horn flies can result in interrupted grazing patterns, leading to impacted milk production and reduced weight gains in cattle. Implementing a horn fly management program with your cattle will help promote overall herd health.

To better help you identify and control horn fly infestations on your operation, Central Life Sciences is here to help keep your cattle comfortable and your profits high.

What is a Horn Fly?

Horn flies are small biting flies with piercing-type mouthparts, which take up to 40 blood meals per day. They are grayish with two stripes on their thorax and are usually found congregating on the backs and sides of cattle.

Horn flies typically only leave the backs of cattle to lay their eggs in fresh manure. These eggs hatch and develop into larvae in the manure and pupate underneath or in the surrounding soil around the manure. After the pupae molt, the adult horn flies emerge to reproduce and feed for up to 4 weeks. While the total life span of horn flies is slightly longer than one month, their populations build quickly, causing explosive infestations in the warmer months.

Signs of Horn Fly Infestations

  • Flies on the backs of cattle
  • Twitching
  • Tail swishing

The economic threshold for horn flies is 200 per cow or 100 per side. When left untreated, fly infestations can rapidly increase to thousands of flies per animal, leading to increased cattle stress that impacts performance. This causes cattle to burn excess energy to combat the flies, reducing grazing time, feed intake and daily gain. These stress behaviors impact weight gain, decreases milk production, milk quality and reproductivity such as conception and breed back timing. 

Disease from Horn Flies

Horn flies can also impact cattle health by spreading disease. Horn flies constantly are feeding from the cattle, allowing them to easily transfer disease agents. Horn flies are implicated in transferring heifer mastitis. As they feed on the teats and udders, they are able to transmit the bacteria. The bacteria enter the teat and moves through the quarter, destroying milk-producing tissues. If left untreated, heifer mastitis can affect the heifers’ milk production and life-long productivity before she has her first calf.

How Can Altosid® IGR Help?

Given the role horn flies play in cow health and conception, implementing preventative fly control strategies are key to protecting your herd and profit from horn flies.

The easiest way to use a preventative control for horn flies is to use a feed-through larvicide or insect growth regulator (IGR), like Altosid® IGR, which allows the cattle to treat themselves by simply adding it to your current feed or mineral program, reducing both time and labor. Altosid® IGR is a feed-through larvicide that breaks the life cycle of horn flies by targeting the immature stage before they are able to emerge as adults. The active ingredient, (S)-methoprene, is unique to insects, interrupting the transition into biting adults.

Effective Horn Fly Control with Altosid® IGR

To ensure success with Altosid® IGR, implement and follow the tips below. By following the tips outlined, you can help limit the number of horn flies produced on your pastures and impacting your cattle.

For Success:

  • Begin feeding product with Altosid® IGR 30 days before the average last frost in the spring
  • If feeding in free choice feeds such as mineral supplements:
    • Put out a 5- to 7-day supply and allow one feeder per 15 to 20 cattle.
    • Place near watering or loafing areas. 
  • Monitor feed consumption for a few days. Increase or decrease the number of feeders or move them if necessary to adjust for proper consumption. Ensuring appropriate consumption is key to product effectiveness.
  • Continue feeding product with Altosid® IGR for 30 days after the first frost to limit the number of horn flies overwintering and jumpstarting the population in the following spring.

In most years, Altosid® IGR alone provides excellent season-long control when used as directed. If fly populations exceed acceptable levels or an Altosid® IGR supplement is started after horn flies are present, use Starbar® Prolate/Lintox-HD™ Insecticidal Spray & Backrubber for Livestock, Cattle Armor™ 1% Synergized Pour-On, or Inhibidor™ Insecticidal Pour-On to knock back the adult fly population.

While you will never eliminate all flies on cattle, maintaining a fly control program will help keep the horn fly population under the economic threshold, and protect your herd’s health and bottom line. Altosid® IGR is available in mineral blocks, tubs, liquid feed supplements and as a premix that can be top dressed or mixed into feed. Visit AltosidIGR.com to learn more. 

Altosid, Inhibidor, Prolate/Lintox-HD and Starbar are trademarks of Wellmark International.

The Threat of Beef Heifer Mastitis

The Threat of Beef Heifer Mastitis

Article and Photo courtesy of Central Life Sciences

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.

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