Protect Your Cattle from Costly Fly Damage
Flies are a nuisance for cattle and dairy operations. They quietly cost the industries an average of $2.21 billion per year between 2005-2009, according to the most recent comprehensive economic analysis. The impact of flies can be seen in:
- Reduced weight gains: High fly populations cause weight loss and decreased feed intake
- Stressed animals: Flies force cows into defensive behaviors, exhausting energy, and reducing milk production
- Disease transmission: Flies can transmit dangerous pathogens including E. coli, Campylobacter, and Salmonella
Calf housing areas are particularly prone to fly impacts. Bedding mixed with spilled milk, grain, water, urine, and feces creates the perfect breeding ground. With a single female fly laying hundreds of eggs during her lifetime, effective cattle fly control is essential. Fortunately, there’s a proven way to safely target flies and create an environment where they are unable to thrive.
pH Manipulation Shown to Break the Fly Cycle
It’s possible to attack flies when they’re most vulnerable, before they impact cattle health. University research has shown that the acidifier sodium bisulfate (SBS), which is found in ParlorPal and BeefUp, lowers pH to the degree that it creates an inhospitable environment for fly development. Fly larvae require bacteria to survive and grow. Sodium bisulfate reduces pH levels that bacteria need to thrive, reducing house fly larval survival.
UC Davis researchers published a study that demonstrates the effectiveness of sodium bisulfate for fly control in cattle operations. They applied the product to calf bedding containing 3,000 house fly eggs and monitored larval survival over 23 days. The results were telling:
87% reduction in fly larvae with low-dose application
99% reduction with medium-dose application
100% reduction with high-dose applications
Sodium bisulfate application reduced bedding pH by 90% which resulted in up to 100% fly larvae mortality and 68% bacterial reduction.
Safe, Affordable and Multi-Functional
A Proven Safety Record
- EPA-categorized as a mineral acid with established safety protocols
- Used in food production and agricultural applications
- A study with horses showed no skin irritation even with direct contact for extended periods
Cost-effective
- Low cost with operational savings in the first 2-3 days that recoup the cost of SBS and its application
- Improvements in feed conversion, weight gain and livability offer additional return on investment
- Reduces bedding costs by prolonging use
Multiple Benefits Beyond Fly Control
- Reduces ammonia emissions
- Creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria
- Provides odor control through pH reduction and bacterial suppression
- Improves air quality for both animals and workers
Take Action Against Flies Today
Don’t let flies continue draining profits from your operation. Whether you need proven dairy fly control for a milking operation, calf hutch fly control, or feed lot fly control for beef cattle, look into the research behind sodium bisulfate as a scientifically-proven solution.
BeefUp (for beef operations) and ParlorPal (for dairy operations) harness the power of SBS to lower pH and create an environmental unfavorable for fly larvae. Both offer additional benefits, including:
- Lowering ammonia to support respiratory health for animals and workers
- Eliminating ammonia-related soil contamination and environmental concerns
- Extending use of bedding materials
- EPA Safer Choice certified and free of heavy metals
Promote Performance from the Ground Up
BeefUp and ParlorPal can be used in:
- Bedding pack
- Feed bunk aprons
- Water bunk aprons
- Footbaths
- Calf hutches
Contact a Jones-Hamilton rep today to put BeefUp or ParlorPal to the test on your cattle operation.