Anna Smith, Regional Sales Manager at Central Life Sciences, understands the importance of a functional IPM program. Knowing which solutions are best for you is how Central Life Sciences ensures your needs are always effectively met. Starting your IPM program can seem challenging because “there really is no silver bullet,” Smith states, referring to a one-size-fits-all fly control option. Central Life Science offers a range of ways to approach fly control and pest management. Your IPM program may consist of multiple tactics, including feed-through fly control, topical adulticides, sanitation and conserving natural enemies in your pastures. Another aspect, "something we like to call P.I.E.," as Smith mentions, which is intentionally Planning, Implementing and then Evaluating the fly control methods that are best for your situation instead of randomly selecting fly control to use each year.
Feed-through fly control solutions like Altosid® IGR and ClariFly® Larvicide are “key in an integrated pest management program because you're actually helping to prevent flies from becoming adults and reproducing.”
Altosid® IGR is an efficient way to control horn flies in pasture, because the preventative fly control is incorporated in the supplement and passes through the cattle to their manure, where horn flies develop. It breaks the horn fly life cycle, preventing them from developing into biting adults. With Altosid® IGR, there's no need to round up or handle cattle because the animals are treating the manure as they graze.
While Altosid® IGR works hard to target developing horn flies, it’s important to pair with good IPM practices and adulticides to target those early emerging adult flies. Starbar® sprays and pour-ons can help eliminate the adult horn flies that emerged before Altosid® IGR was incorporated into your pasture supplement.
Smith concludes by emphasizing accuracy and consistency to get the most out of these products. Central Life Sciences understands that every fly season is different, and “we can help you come up with a program that works specifically for you and specifically for the pressures that you're having.” Ultimately, control over fly development takes the pressure off of the cattle and keeps them healthier and more comfortable.
Whether you’re trying to decrease the horn fly population disturbing your beef cattle or need overall fly and pest management, Central Life Sciences is your go-to for an effective IPM program.
Learn more about how Central Life Sciences can help your IPM program in the video below!
