Page 10 - MWC 9-14-2023s
P. 10
LATE SEASON The Midwest Cattleman · September 14, 2023 · P10
continued from page 7
the pupal stage that overwin-
ters beneath manure pats. Dia-
pause for horn flies in Nebras-
ka begins when temperatures
within the manure pat drop
below 60º F. However, existing
adult flies will persist through
September and October or until
a killing frost occurs (below 25º
F).
However, if adult flies con-
tinue to emerge, a rescue fly
treatment may be necessary if
numbers exceed the Economic
Injury Level of 200 horn flies
per animal. Insecticidal sprays,
either using a low-pressure
sprayer or a mist blower spray-
er are an effective option. These
applications should provide
7 – 10 days of control. A pour- Table 1 Table 2
on treatment is another option the eyes, nasal area, and other present in this region after also be treated.
and provides control for 21 – orifices of livestock. Treatment September, especially in areas Applications to resting sites
28 days. A list of recommended products directed to the face where rainfall was abundant. should be made on a warm
treatment methods and control or head area of animals will Stable flies will continue their sunny day usually near mid-af-
products are in Table 1. provide the best control. A list feeding activity on livestock ternoon. Applications to either
Face Fly of pour-on and spray products until we receive a hard freeze. animals or fly resting sites can
available can be found in Table Spray applications provide the be made with a low-pressure or
Numbers have been high best means of reducing their a mist blower sprayer. A list of
this season, especially in areas 2. In many areas, face flies numbers and should be made recommended control products
of the state where rainfall was seeking shelter for overwinter- every 10 days. The sides of is in Table 3.
abundant. Face flies experi- ing often move to buildings and buildings or tree windbreaks
ence a version of diapause, homes. They usually cluster in where large numbers of stable Drovers
called reproductive diapause. attics or wall cavities of struc- flies are observed resting can
Reproductive diapause occurs tures located closest to pas-
when daylength shortens to
12.5 hours or less, beginning in tures. The first step in keeping
insects from entering struc-
Nebraska around the middle
of September. During this pro- tures is exclusion.
To prevent home and struc-
cess both sexes seek protect-
ed places to spend the winter. ture infestations inspect for
points of entry such as around
A killing frost (25° F degrees
or below) can impact face fly doors, windows, soffits, and
vents and use caulk to seal up
numbers. However, until dia-
pause is completed, or a killing holes in those areas. Residual
sprays containing bifenthrin,
frost occurs, additional fly con-
trol measures may be required. deltamethrin or permethrin
can also be applied as perime-
Face fly control is extreme- Table 3
ly difficult to accomplish due ter barriers.
Stable Fly
to the feeding habits of the fe- LIFE but, since I had the hammer in
male, which seek protein from High numbers may still be continued from page 5 hand, why not hit the gearbox
with a little love tap? Maybe
allowed me to manually ro-
PARAMOUNT tate the drive shaft and expose that would cure whatever was
causing the problem. It did not.
each of the myriad of zerks. To
Growing more frustrated,
would not rotate. The harder I
Elevate to a more valuable female. my surprise, the drive shaft and angrier by the second, I
rationalized that starting the
For over a decade, Red Angus females have commanded tried to turn it, the more noise tractor engine and…just bare-
it created.
more at auction than all other breeds, including Angus. Slowly, I walked around the ly…nudging the PTO control
According to Superior Livestock data, Red knob, I might be able to break
Angus heifers brought nearly $17/cwt more – machine, contemplating what loose whatever was impeding
that equates to a $92/head premium could possibly be preventing the driveshaft from moving.
on a weaned replacement female. the movement of the drivesh- However, I decided to first en-
aft. As I pondered, I figured I gage the hydraulics and raise
To learn more about had just as well test each of the the entire mower. Underneath
industry-leading stayability, six tires for proper inflation, so the three-ton machine, to my
visit RedAngus.org grabbing a hammer from the surprise and embarrassment,
tool box, I thumped each one.
They all seemed fine, as evi- was the crumpled remnant of
denced by a healthy bounce, a metal folding chair.
