Those pesky flies can really be a buzzkill when it comes to taking care of cattle. Flies cost the cattle business billions of dollars annually and impact the well-being of the herd.
Horn flies cost beef producers more than $2 billion annually, and face flies can contribute up to $150 million in yearly losses. House flies are responsible for the transmission of BVD and scours, and they influence BRD. Meanwhile, stable flies are a huge bite hindrance to feedlot cattle, costing gain and overall performance.
Fly control for cattle is an investment in your herd. As with any investment, it takes an integrated approach to be successful. We recommend cattle mineral with fly control in combination with other management steps.
At BioZyme®, makers of VitaFerm® cattle vitamin and mineral supplements, we want to ensure your herd stays healthy. That includes controlling flies. That’s why we have partnered with Central Life Sciences to include ClariFly® Larvicide into some of our products to provide the best cattle mineral with fly control available.
What makes VitaFerm the Best Cattle Mineral with Fly Control?
Yes, ClariFly is available in other vitamin and mineral supplements. However, when you add it with VitaFerm, your herd receives quality vitamin and minerals, a research-proven prebiotic for enhanced gut health and a better immune system AND fly control.
In addition to the fly control, VitaFerm products contain AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. Not only will your herd improve volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the rumen by 16%, getting more nutrients out of their forage, they will increase their overall health.
What is ClariFly?
ClariFly is a four-fly larvicide that prevents house flies, stable flies, face flies and horn flies from developing in and emerging from the manure of treated cattle. ClariFly interrupts the lifecycle of the fly through the active ingredient Diflubenzuron which inhibits the synthesis of chitin.
Chitin is a major component of the exoskeleton of an insect, and as an insect grows and will molt, it will have to reform their exoskeleton. One component is that they deposit chitin to be able to form that exoskeleton. Since the active ingredient in ClariFly inhibits chitin from properly forming into an exoskeleton, that insect – immature, will die.
“Flies are very costly to livestock producers, as they increase stress on animals, resulting in lower average daily gains and lower conception rates. They also spread numerous pathogens and diseases resulting in more cases of pinkeye, mastitis, BVD, BRD, anaplasmosis, etc. By feeding ClariFly, producers can reduce fly pressure, resulting in improved performance and lower veterinary expenses,” said Gary Felger, Regional Sales Manager with Central Life Science.
VitaFerm Provides Options With ClariFly
It is critical to find the right cattle mineral for fly control for your operation. VitaFerm offers 7 formulas of its vitamin and mineral supplements with ClariFly to help stop horn, face, stable and house flies in their larval stage. VitaFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle that maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production. Additionally, the HEAT® technology in some VitaFerm products also contains a combination of essential oils and garlic to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.
VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® with ClariFly®
VitaFerm ONE HEAT with ClariFly is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for beef cattle that meets or exceeds nutrient requirements throughout the production cycle. ClariFly and HEAT technology promote cattle performance when temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue.
VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® CTC 3G with ClariFly®
VitaFerm ONE HEAT CTC 3G with ClariFly is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement that meets or exceeds nutrient requirements throughout the production cycle. It contains ClariFly, CTC and HEAT technology to promote beef cattle performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue.
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Tub with ClariFly®
This new product, VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub with ClariFly, is a premium protein tub with vitamins, minerals and ClariFly® . More than that, it’s specifically for beef cattle on grass pasture. It supports reproductive success on low protein forage. The first-and-only VitaFerm tub with ClariFly includes 20% natural protein along with organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health. High levels of Vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality.
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S with ClariFly®
Three VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S formulas exist with ClariFly, providing producers the options they need for their management scenarios. All are premium free-choice 5% phosphorus vitamin and mineral supplements with ClariFly for beef cattle designed to support reproductive success. They all include Amaferm and organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health. High levels of Vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality.
In addition to VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S with ClariFly, look for these two other formulas:
- VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S HEAT® with ClariFly®, which contains the HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic for when heat and insects are challenges.
- VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S CTC 3G with ClariFly®, which also contains CTC for control of anaplasmosis
VitaFerm® Conserve® CTC 3G with ClariFly®
Finally, for those producers looking to control costs, we offer VitaFerm Conserve CTC 3G with ClariFly. This supplement for beef cattle supports herd health and performance with a complete but economical vitamin and mineral package. It includes CTC to control anaplasmosis and ClariFly to stop horn, face, stable and house flies in their larval stage.
The Final Word
Flies aren’t just an annoyance. They cause economic hardships that are hard to recover.
“Oftentimes producers only think of flies as a nuisance. They don’t recognize the negative economic impact that flies have on their bottom line. A good example of this is the stress that horn flies have on a cow/calf herd. Research shows that weaning weights are reduced by approximately 20 pounds without horn fly control,” Felger said. “With calf prices at historic highs, this means that horn flies alone may cost a producer $60 per calf or more. And that doesn’t consider that the horn flies may also be spreading disease in the herd and reducing conception rates by as much as 25%.”
Get your VitaFerm Today
At BioZyme, we pride ourselves on making products that answer a need. With billions of dollars lost each year to fly damage and stress, we know cattle mineral with fly control should be an essential part of your integrated pest management system. That’s why we created vitamin and mineral supplements in the VitaFerm line, including ClariFly.
At BioZyme, we give you options within the VitaFerm line. Not sure what to feed cows when it comes to the VitaFerm line? Check out our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.
Get your VitaFerm products from an authorized BioZyme dealer today. Our extensive dealer network is here to help you meet mineral needs.
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