Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Fly Control and Summer Welfare

Managing fly burden in cattle during summer to prevent pain, disease, and welfare losses.

Key Facts

Face flies cause painful eye irritation and transmit infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) - pink eye
Horn flies cause hundreds of bites per day, reducing feed intake and causing chronic stress
Pour-on insecticides, ear tags, and fly traps provide varying levels of protection and residual activity
Resistance to pyrethroids is emerging in face fly populations in some regions, requiring rotational use

Welfare Considerations

Summer fly burden causes chronic welfare compromise in cattle through pain, irritation, and disease transmission. Effective fly control significantly improves cattle welfare and productivity simultaneously - one of the clearest win-win welfare interventions in cattle management.

What You Can Do

Implement an integrated fly control programme using multiple methods and monitoring
Rotate active ingredients to slow pyrethroid resistance development in fly populations
Consult a vet about the most appropriate fly control options for your system and region