Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Cattle: Fly Control and Summer Welfare

Fly burden during summer is a major welfare concern for cattle, causing significant behavioural disruption, stress, and disease transmission.

Key Facts

Face flies feed on cattle eye secretions and transmit New Forest eye (IBK) and other pathogens
Horn flies and stable flies cause irritation and bloodletting through repeated biting
Fly worry causes cattle to bunch together, reducing grazing time by up to 25%
Pour-on insecticides, fly tags, and fly traps are common control methods
Pasture management including manure removal can reduce fly breeding sites

Welfare Considerations

Fly burden causes continuous irritation, behavioural disruption, and in severe cases disease through pathogen transmission. Cattle under heavy fly pressure show increased stress behaviours and reduced feed intake. Integrated fly management that combines chemical control with environmental measures improves welfare while reducing reliance on insecticides.

What You Can Do

Implement a fly control programme before peak fly season
Use pour-on treatments or fly tags in accordance with veterinary guidance
Remove manure from housing areas to reduce fly breeding
Monitor face fly burden and New Forest eye incidence
Rotate pastures and avoid grazing near standing water during peak fly season