Two Reasons to Feed Fall Fly Control
Sep 22, 2021
Countryside Feed Nutrition
Corn harvest, football games, and the sound of bawling calves are all tell-tale signs that fall has arrived. Dropping temperatures is also a welcome sign of the changing seasons for many reasons, falling fly populations being one of them! Continuing fly control practices in the fall may not seem like a wise investment, but it can be beneficial for a two main reasons.
Support Productivity
We may be able to see a difference in fly populations as the temperatures cool off, but keep in mind cattle are still stressed even under less fly pressure. Research has shown that as few as 200 horn flies per cow will show an impact on your bottom line! Maintaining fly control practices is a great way to keep cattle gaining and performing through the fall.
Reduce Spring Fly Populations
Horn flies are able to hibernate to survive the winter, so reducing fly populations in the fall leads to less fly pressure in the spring! For this reason, Countryside Feed recommends maintaining Altosid(R) IGR or Clarifly(R) larvicide in mineral programs until 30-days after the first hard freeze. Typically, the end of October is a good general time frame to plan on pulling fly control from mineral.
Providing fly control in the fall helps not only support your herd's productivity now, it also helps start the spring with less flies! Countryside Feed has several fly control options still available in our Purina minerals, and mineral tubs, as well as Beef Builder mineral options! Contact your Countryside Feed representative for more information on fly control minerals this fall!