Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Fly Control

Face fly and horn fly infestations cause significant welfare harm to cattle through constant irritation, reduced grazing time, and disease transmission.

Key Facts

Face flies (Musca autumnalis) cause intense irritation around cattle eyes and transmit pinkeye
Horn flies (Haematobia irritans) cause continuous biting irritation and reduced grazing time
Economic losses from fly-stressed cattle include reduced milk production and weight gain
Pour-on insecticides and ear tags provide seasonal control but resistance is developing
Biological control using dung beetles reduces fly breeding sites in cattle dung

Welfare Considerations

Fly-related welfare harm is chronically underestimated in cattle management. Constant irritation from face and horn flies reduces feed intake, disrupts behavior, and increases disease risk through a mechanism that is largely preventable with appropriate control.

What You Can Do

Support farms using integrated fly management combining biological and chemical methods
Advocate for fly control as a component of cattle welfare standards
Choose beef and dairy from farms demonstrating year-round fly management programs