Cow in pasture
HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

Alternatives for reducing fly pollution in pasture-raised cattle

HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

Alternatives for reducing fly pollution in pasture-raised cattle

When animals are kept on pasture, nuisance animals can cause distress to the animals, stress, transmission of diseases and a decline in performance. Agents for repelling flies or reducing fly pressure (pour-on, ear clips, etc.) are commercially available with different active ingredient bases. Only a limited number of products are approved for use on organic farms.

Based on positive feedback from practice, the pasture fly reduction potential of an alternative product based on extracts and oils of plant origin was examined as part of a trial (cooperation from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein Bio-Institute with the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education - seminar paper by A. Spiele). and potassium hydroxide (Biocol from Bioco GmbH) tested on dairy cows.
There was a significant treatment effect for all characteristics surveyed. By spraying the cows with the water-diluted Biocol solutions, fly pressure was reduced across all survey days and repetitions. This effect occurred in the same way in the two dilution levels tested (V1 and V2). The fly reduction effect in test groups V1 and V2 decreased slightly on average from treatment day T0 (-66% fly pressure) to the fourth survey day T4 (-54% fly pressure).

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