by Janis Stearns | Apr 12, 2019 | Uncategorized
As summer approaches creating shade is very important for your livestock and horses. One other thing that tops the list is FLY CONTROL! This program was featured in Western Horseman’s newsletter and is a comprehensive approach to dealing with an age old problem. Four Steps to Serious Fly Control! Each year, as the weather warms we get excited to get outside and enjoy time with our horses. With this great weather though comes the problem of dealing with flies. While there are many ways to combat these pests, chemical-free options are affordable and can help you to eliminate flies at all stages of their development. For total fly control, consider the following four steps. First, control flies by stopping flies in their developmental stage with ARBICO Organics Fly Eliminators™ – Gnat-sized parasitic wasps that feed on and breed in developing (pupal) stages of filth-breeding flies. Secondly, take control of your manure management and consider adding a microbial spray to speed up decomposition such as Em-1 or SCD Barn Kleaner. Next, combat maggots breeding in hot spots with ARBICO Organics NemAttack – Beneficial Nematodes that parasitize the maggot stage of flies. Lastly, we recommend trapping adult flies and spraying your animals for effective control of adult flies. The ARBICO Organics Solar Fly Trap is a long-lasting aluminum trap that attracts and
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by Janis Stearns | Mar 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
Planning windbreaks for cattle Kathy Parker, Freelance Contributor – TRI STATE LIVESTOCK NEWS “Anything a rancher can do to help protect livestock from winter weather is beneficial. Spending money on moveable or permanent windbreaks may be worthwhile, depending on the situation. It may be more cost effective to use windbreaks when buildings are not available for shelter and natural windbreaks are sparse. In addition, windbreaks may be constructed faster than buildings. Cattle stand cold temperatures without wind pretty well, but according to the University of Idaho’s Jim Church, a 20-mile per hour wind is equivalent to 30 degrees of cold. So if the temperature is 10 degrees with a 20-mile an hour wind, the cattle are feeling 20 below zero. It takes more feed to generate body heat. In fact, Church said for every 10 degrees decline in temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit due to wind chill, a cow’s energy requirement goes up 13 percent. Cold stress increases sickness, which increases vet and medicine costs. Some producers have made use of materials they already have for the windbreaks. Kristin Zemp grew up on a Wyoming ranch and now lives on an Ashland, Kansas ranch. She said some producers get creative. “Some places just pile junk cars or tires and stuff up. Looks junky, too. Old cars and farm equipment lined
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