Beef Bn by John Comei Penn State Beef Si IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR Fly Control Horn and face flies are the most typical pests in our region. They are historically difficult to control because of the ready source of a reproductive environment (fresh manure) in free-ranging, grazing cattle. Following are some methods for control with some advantages and disadvantages. • Direct application: This will be the most effective control at a single point in time, but these sprays and foggers generally do not last long enough. Therefore, the life cycle of the flies will not be sufficiently interrupted without LAND PRIDE Stand Grass Straight Up... Air Tkinnei Grooming Mowers • Available in 60”, 72” and 90” Widths • Tubular steel chassis absorbs shock • Floating hitch and swiveling top link for superior contour following capabilities • Four wheels with front roller option The Land Pride Air Tunnel Mowers stand grass straight up for that “clean-cut” trim every time. Setts Equipment 3139 Windy Bush Road.Rt 232 New Hope, PA 18938 215-598-7501 Hoober, Inc. Mam Street Intercourse, PA 17534 717-768-8231 Hoober, Inc. East Mam Street McAlisterville, PA 17049 717-463-2191 Deerfield Ag & Turf Center, Inc RR 2 Box 212 Wafsontown, PA 17777 717-538-3557 Detlan Equipment, Inc 141 East Mam St Silverdale, PA 18962 215-257-5177 Thomas L. Dunlap Rt 220, Mam St Exit Jersey Shore, PA 17740 717-398-1391 R E d C 2 k X h 2?A rOS Farm EqUjPment NormWh^slplt 8 New Rmgold, PA 17960 Hammonfon, N J 08037 717-943-2131 609-561-0141 Eckroth Equipment Co, 4910 Kernsville Rd Orefield, PA 18069 610-366-2095 Hines Equipment RT 220, Belwood, PA 814-742-8171 frequent treatments • Rubs: Like direct applications, frequent applications are neces sary for effective control. Insecti cide-impregnated face and back rubs can be effective controls as long as there is a consistent supply of material available in the rubs and when the cattle consistently use them. They should be placed in resting areas and around feed and water sources so the cattle will use them. They should probably not be placed inside a bam be cause neither hom or face flies will stay inside a bam. • Larvacides: These materials are either fed to the animals through a mineral or grain feed, or Pennsylvania. Keller Brothers R 7 Box 405 Lebanon, PA 17042 717-949-6501 1950 Fruitville Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 717-569-2500 M.S. Yearsley & Sons West Chester, PA 610-696-2990 Pikeville Equipment Inc, RD 2, Oyste'dale Road Oley, PA 19547 610-927-6277 Stoltzfus Farm Service Cochranville, PA 610-593-2407 Stouffer Bros Inc. 1066 Lincoln Way West Chambersburg, PA 17201 717-263-8424 New Jersey Warren County Service Center 228 Route 94 Blairtown, N J 908-362-6916 Frank Rymon & Sons, Inc RD 3, Box 355 Washington, N J 07882 908-689-1464 are dosed to them as a bolus that has a slow release in the rumen. The chemical agent in the larva cide prevents the growth of the fly while developing in the manure pile. They do nothing to control adult flies, particularly if cattle across a fence or nearby have not been controlled witih a larvacide. They can be an effective part of a control program that includes other forms of control, such as dir ect application of insecticides. • Insecticidal ear tags; The use of insecticide ear tags is still effec tive in our region since few resis tances to the insecticides have been found. There are three major categories of insecticides used in tags, and the category of material should be rotated annually. These include organophosphates, syn thetic pyrethroids, and combina tions of the two. One tag per ani mal is usually sufficient. TTiey can be used in combination with a lar vacide. The tags should be remov ed at the end of the fly season to help prevent resistance. • Pour-ons: Some of the effec tive insecticides are now available in a long-lasting, pour-on delivery product. Check with your animal HfP r)L www.lancasterfarming.com AT2572 • Made of 13 gauge Steel • All welded seams • Gravity Flow or Auger Free Estimates Also - Steel Roof Trusses for Buildings • Portable Hog Buildings * Bucket Elevators - Grain Augers Distributors - Flow Pipes & Accessories We Sell, Service & Install Ph: 717-345-3724 Fax; 717-345-2294 STOLTZFUS WELDING SHOP Owner - Samuel P. Stoltzfus RD3, Box 331 Pine Grove, PA 17963 Lancaster Farming Check Out Our Web Site supply dealer to see what is avail able. It is also recommended that the use of larvacides and insecticidal car tags be delayed until mid-sum mer if possible since peak fly populations in this area will usual ly be in August. Bull Use Remember, the easiest way to control the management of a beef herd is through controlled, con densed calving seasons. This al lows the most effective nutrition, health, and marketing to occur. Bulls should be prepared for turnout by making sure they are healthy and in good physical shape. New bulls should have a breeding soundness examination if at all possible. Unfortunately, there are few veterinarians in the state that are equipped for this examination. The bull to cow ratio will help in sure that calves are bom early in the calving season because the cows are bred when they cycle the first time. This increases weaning weights and rebreeding rates next year. Yearling bulls should be limited to 15 cows, 2-year-olds to 30 cows, and mature bulls to 45 cows. Many bulls can service more cows in the breeding season, but the loss of breeding for one heat cycle can result in 30-40 pounds less calf to sell. Another Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 15, 1999-D3 perspective is that a bull asked to breed 60 cows in 60 days will have to average a mating per day. When there are two cows in heat, most bulls will be able to handle it. But when there are three, or when there are environmental problams such as a week of hot, humid weather, there will usually be fewer pounds of calf to sell or there will be an open cow. Calf Management Calf management now can make a real difference in the dol lars they return later. Castrate the males with a knife, at an early age (less than two months of age), to help reduce the distress of the practice. Any advantage of wait ing and allowing the calf to remain a bull to capture the growth ad vantage of bulls can be compro mised by the recovery period from castration at an older age. Identify the calves to match the cow identification so the less productive cows can be identified and culled. Use implants in the calves that will not be used for breeding. At any reasonable growth rate the implant can have a 8X return rate. In areas where blackleg is a problem, vaccinate calves with a clostridial vaccine. There are se veral good ones available, includ ing those that are a subcutaneous, 2-cc dose. Booster them at wean ing. READ LANCASTER FARMING FOR COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE MARKET REPORTS NEED YOUR FARM BUILDINGS PAINTED? Let us give you a price! Write: Daniel’s Painting 637-A Georgetown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (or leave message) (717) 687-8262 Spray on and Brush in Painting
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