Hassle-Free Fly Control

Feeding a mineral mix with a unique insect-growth regulator stops horn flies cold.

First priority of Pete Henderson's time is overseeing the family-owned heavy construction business that his father founded at Williamsburg, Va. But his happiest moments are spent with his wife, Connie, on their Edgewood Farm just up the road near West Point.

Their herd of 80 registered Angus cows is a great source of pride. So they become understandably upset when their prized animals are harassed by horn flies.

"We've tried about everything with varying degrees of success," Henderson reports. "But this past summer was the first time we obtained complete control."

Success came from feeding Fly Stop Beef & Dairy Mineral with Altosid from Southern States. Henderson feeds it free choice from feeders in each pasture.

Pete Henderson and Southern States' Rick Bennett check out mineral feeders in Henderson's pastures. The feeders are stocked with Fly Stop Beef & Dairy Mineral with Altosid throughout the horn-fly season.

Rick Bennett, manager of the Southern States store in King William, explains that Fly Stop Beef & Dairy Mineral with Altosid® is a unique product. Unlike insecticide sprays, it doesn't kill adult flies. Instead the Altosid, which is an insect-growth regulator, passes through the animal's digestive system with the manure in which horn flies deposit their eggs. The eggs hatch, but the IGR disrupts the natural development of the insects so that they never reach adulthood.

The area where Henderson farms near the coast is notorious for its horn-fly populations. They bother the cows to the point where the animals don't eat.

"It also has an impact on the size and health of their calves," he notes. He says his cows love the taste of the Fly Stop Beef & Dairy Mineral with Altosid, so he has no problem getting them to eat enough to be effective.

Bennett notes that Fly Stop Beef & Dairy Mineral with Altosid is also available in block form and as a pre-mix that can be included in a feed ration. Altosid is not toxic to beneficial insects and has no residual to contaminate water supplies. And there is no documented evidence of horn flies building up resistance to Altosid.

Altosid® is a registered trademark of Wellmark International.

New Spray Offers Ideal Control

There's an effective new way to protect your cattle from early populations of annoying flies that may breakout before your ingestible feed takes effect. Southern States now offers Elector®, a natural-born insecticide from Elanco. Elector is the first product in the new spinosyn class of insecticides. According to company officials, Elector offers ongoing, effective control of flies and lice. As such, it's the ideal rotational alternative to older products on the market.

We encourage a topical application as a knockdown to arrest adult hornfly populations in herds," explains Mike Peacock, the co-op's manager of livestock feed sales. "Also, since Elector controls species not impacted by Altosid, it's a great companion product."

Whether it's used as a pour-on, an animal spray or a premise spray, Elector effectively kills flies. Yet it's safe for people, animals and the environment. It's so safe, in fact, that protective equipment isn't required for the applicator.