05/07/06
Reducing cattle exposure to flies, and the use of an effective
fly control product and long-acting, broad-spectrum dry cow therapy
are the route to better summer mastitis control, says Schering-Plough
Animal Health.
Do not wait until you see flies on your animals at grass before
reaching for the insecticide - treat cows early to cut fly populations
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The company has developed a five-point checklist to cut a disease
threat researchers estimate can cost farmers around £270
per cow affected. Summer mastitis affects cows and heifers and
normally peaks between July and September each year.
“Bacteria cause summer mastitis,” points out livestock
veterinary adviser Andrew Montgomery. “The bug A. pyogenes
is the most frequent cause and head flies have been shown to transmit
the summer mastitis bugs. And it is these flies that are believed
to be the major means of disease transmission.”
The five-point checklist is as follows:
- If you can, graze cows
away from trees and water to limit the fly threat
- Use a proven
fly killer. Trials with Coopers Spot On show that it kills flies
even on the head, face, rump, belly and legs, within two hours
of application
- Use a broad-spectrum dry cow tube such as Cepravin
that will cover the whole dry period and deliver 10 weeks protection
against A. pyogenes
- Keep teats in good condition. It’s a
good idea to avoid grazing cattle where thistles, nettles, long
grass or biting flies may cause teat damage
- When drying off cows
consider applying insecticide at the same time, especially if
cows are to be moved away from the buildings and handling equipment
 Cut
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