By Lisa Davis MS, Dairy Product Manager
During the spring, summer, and fall, flies are a big concern! On cattle, fly populations –
- Transmit disease
- Reduce Gains
- Lower milk production
- Increase energy expenditure
- Lessen efficiency
Controlling flies is essential to maximizing cows’ warm-weather productivity! A whole-farm approach to reducing fly populations is the most effective way to minimize the impacts of flies on milk production and growth. Use of ClariFly® feed-through larvicide, from Central Life Sciences, can be a key component to a successful fly control program. A feed-through larvicide is included daily in cattle feed and is deposited in the cow’s manure, where it affects the development of flies from eggs which have been laid in the manure. Diflubenzuron, the active ingredient in ClariFly®, prevents exoskeleton development in young flies. As a result, immature flies do not reach breeding age and fly populations are reduced. This is a different mode of action compared to organophosphates. As a result, ClariFly® is a unique fly control solution when organophosphate-resistant flies are a concern.
To have the greatest impact on fly populations, it is recommended to feed ClariFly® daily for 30 days before the fly season starts, to 30 days after the first frost. ClariFly® feed-through larvicide is available through QLF Dairy products. ClariFly® should only be fed to confined cattle and is safe to feed to lactating and dry cows. Including ClariFly® in QLF is easy! ClariFly may be included in QLF dairy products as an add-on at the time of order. Please contact your QLF Representative for more information on delivering ClariFly® through QLF Dairy products.