Flies cause significant summer welfare impacts on cattle through irritation, disease transmission, and energy expenditure in fly-avoidance behaviour; integrated pest management reduces these welfare costs.
Fly burden on cattle represents a significant but often overlooked source of welfare harm. The constant irritation from biting flies causes physiological stress and diverts energy from productive activities; transmissible eye diseases from face flies cause acute pain and can lead to corneal damage and blindness. Integrated fly management combining insecticide ear tags, environmental management, and strategic application reduces fly burden and associated welfare costs.