Why I Choose to Fly Spray My Cattle | Regenerative Ranching

Рет қаралды 27,117

Cliff Honnas Regenerative Rancher & Equine Surgeon

Күн бұрын

Fly control is a difficult subject when it comes to regenerative ranching. The obvious choice would be a biological agent such as fly predator wasps or Purple Martin’s or other fly eating birds. We have tried fly predator wasps without success and unfortunately don’t have a Purple Martin population that can effectively decrease the fly burden. We would prefer to not use insecticides when regenerative ranching because of the potential effect on soil life, but we have not come up with any other good options. I used Co-Ral Fly and Tick spray in this video. We would welcome other ideas from other folks to deal with face and horn flies and the economic consequences on cattle performance caused by these pests.
Music: www.bensound.com/royalty-free-...
#regenerativeranching #cattle #flyspray

Пікірлер: 121

@donnaforte5379 9 ай бұрын

Omg, look at how many flies there are?? Poor Cows, thanks for helping them..❤️❤️❤️

@thesmiths629 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to see the honesty here. I'd try poultry. Not sure what county you're in but there's lots of pastured poultry operators in Texas. Maybe if you found someone local they could help you "try it before you buy it" with putting birds on the pasture a couple days after the cattle. Example: chickens, or muscovies.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

That would indeed be interesting. I’m in Robertson County and I’ve yet to run across any pastured poultry folks. If they are out there, let me know!

@leelindsay5618 2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate how you are talking about a long term and short term plan as you work on regenerative practices. I am curious to find out how the spray effects the manure pats and if it harms dung beetles.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I watch the manure pats to assess if I can see the dwellers (dung beetles) after I spray. It doesn’t appear that it affects them too much as the manure continues to disappear. Will watch closely from now on and see if I can tell a difference.

@milothekrazylocodog 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome Beautiful Perfect

@kycania2046 2 жыл бұрын

In Australia we have the problem also and we use fly tags which last for 3 months. Another way is back rubbers impregnated with oil and chemical. The cows learn to go and rub on them themselves when needed.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I have used all the above and those methods work well. I’m trying to lean into methods of control that don’t involve insecticides currently. I’m hoping insect growth regulator (IGR) will be a stop gap measure. Thanks for your comment!!

@kyliedelauren 3 жыл бұрын

They definitely appreciate it.

@shubbard4563 2 жыл бұрын

We have had really good results using minerals with garlic and cinnamon added. Its not an instant process but has really helped our cattle.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

How much of each do you mix with a 50 pound sack of minerals?

@shubbard4563 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher We started with 1 lb. of each per 50 lbs. of feed but you don't need that much based on our experience. Several nutrition firms are offering it as an additive to their mineral pack so we continued with that with very good results. I would ask your mineral supplier if they have a mineral pack with Garlic and Cinnamon in it. That worked for us. The other thing you can do is use Altosid in the Purina Wind and Rain mineral pack. The active ingredient is great on horn flies. However it can hurt dung beetles but I understand there is a new formula / product coming to the market that does not hurt the dung beetle. We have beef cattle and practice regenerative practices. However we try and use products that comfort the cattle especially flies.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

@@Jj-gi2uv awesome information! I love the dialogue, thank you. I will try it!

@robertduffy5805 3 жыл бұрын

Good short-term fix as you build a long-term plan, I don't think Greg Judy had all those birds at the beginning when he started either. Over time, as the property transforms I'm sure you'll get more birds and other species that will help.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

Brick by brick!

@tireddad6541 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Or birdhouse by bird house, and wildlife areas. Greg was mentioning winter was the time he makes them and cleans them

@sean.g4516 2 ай бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancherget your local farm supply to order you some garlic salt blocks.

@vincerestivo1860 2 ай бұрын

What did you mix the Corral with?

@JMPMSTR41 2 жыл бұрын

Face flies: I run a South Poll herd moving daily. Once I started using Redmond Trace Mineral w/Garlic, the face flies are non existent. For horn flies, I spray a homemade mixture of essential oils....I also use it for mosquitos for me. I hit em couple time a week when I give them alfalfa pellets for a dessert....Also, l am looking for South Poll yearling steers.....Keep em moving

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I think moving daily is the key. Unfortunately, I’m always in a time bind with my real job. Moving 2-3 times a week is about all I can muster. Therefore, I still have a fly problem. I put Redmond Trace mineral with garlic and Purina Wind and Rain with Altosid in my mineral feeder and still have issues. You are doing it right.

@miraclefarm1927 2 жыл бұрын

What is your homemade mixture? Would love to make my own. Thanks

@JMPMSTR41 2 жыл бұрын

@@miraclefarm1927 Base is distilled H2O with some Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), then add essential oils. I use citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus lavender. I mix a couple of the oils to the H2O and ACV. If I run out of oils, I just spray down with ACV, not recommended for date night. Search homemade bug repellants..I spray peppermint oil into the vents of farm vehicles to repel mice in the winter.

@jeffwindham1304 2 жыл бұрын

I recently found your channel I really enjoy your content I have a small herd over here in East Texas currently what is your stocking rate per acre

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

Hello! Glad you are here. My stocking rate is about 2 to 2.5 acres per animal unit.

@jeffwindham1304 2 жыл бұрын

Okay I may say something stupid here so bear with me I haven't been doing it that long I do not understand stockpiling forage pasture for winter grazing if it's a Pensacola Bahia grass that has went dormant are the cows getting anything from that other than roughage and do you just supplement with cubes

@liljoe8952 4 ай бұрын

So if you slaughtered a cow that had been administered with fly spray. In our area Bosque county, most guys like to use pyrmethrin. How long after they had been administered would you find residual chemical in the meat??? Or would you at all????

@bradquigley3676 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen folks use large sheets of fly paper at the water troughs to eliminate some flies as the cattle come to drink.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen that too! I’m trying garlic in my minerals. Seems promising.

@davmatheophilus159 Жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Is there a recipe, are you rubbing raw garlic with minerals onto the cattle or are they ingesting it?

@jpp9876 2 жыл бұрын

You might want to look into studying purple Martin's and put up a house for them. Up here in Minnesota they need to be taken down in the fall and not put up into the spring just before they migrate back.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I have looked at it and they don’t seem to nest this far South as I recall.

@jpp9876 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher my map shows they do, but could only winter down your way. Insect loving birds from Minnesota head south about this time of year. Greg Judy mentioned an apartment building type of birdhouse he could get for his tree swallows. I think those are the same as the Purple Martin houses. You prolly know Joel Salatin uses egg layers to get the grubs from his cow pies. A lot of work for fly control. I wonder if a meat chicken would work for this.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

The coyotes and raccoons in our area would likely decimate any chickens we raised on pasture.

@dwighthires3163 2 жыл бұрын

@@jpp9876 I have begun to see chicken feed as my fertilizer. The chickens don't make me a lot of money until I do better at building my customer base. However, they make a little money and they add so much to the pasture and also nearly eliminate my fly problem. One caution: I am not in Texas and although we have biting flies; I have never seen the biting flies nearly this bad. Not saying this will work everywhere but chickens certainly help me with my flies, manure spreading and the pastures are doing so much better these lase three years. I really don't care if I make a lot of money from eggs and meat birds with these other benefits.

@scratchymuttsfarmrescue2657 2 жыл бұрын

have you tried them hanging baskets that you put "bait" in and flies go in and can not come back out" i have seen videos with thousands of them in there. Once too many are in there and die flies will not go in. But they empty them out and bait the trap again. Never tried it myself but thought i might tell you about that. Might could work to bring the fly load down some.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

We have tried them at our equine hospital with poor success. I haven’t tried them at the ranch. Thank you for asking.

@coquijibarito 2 ай бұрын

I would at least wear a mask. You work exactly like my dad does. Fearless but chemicals dont care about that. Cattle looking good and healthy. Good job !

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 ай бұрын

You are right! Good reminder!

@TheRfmodulator 2 жыл бұрын

It's interesting to see the size difference between a south pole bull and the angus cross cows

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

These cows are way bigger then what I want, although I do have quite a few 1000-1100 pounders. The size difference looks more stark because the bull in the video is just coming 2 years old.

@ralphpuetz7481 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply Cliff. I wondered the same thing. A lot of the videos I watch it's really hard to evaluate the size of the cattle. That young bull has a great build.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I’m pleased with him!

@jamesbutler1862 Жыл бұрын

Is it different when you have nothing but longhorns or does it apply to all cattle? Im live in east texas and mine have a serious fly problem.. thx

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

It’s the same regardless of breed, however, cattle that have slick, oily hides definitely have fewer flies, so genetics do play into it.

@youjustdontgetit8117 Жыл бұрын

I just bought this stuff...and have been waiting to use it...i dont want to buy it seams its my only option...my flys are no where near that bad but they are definitely bugging my cattle...what was tour mix ratio...I got 2 bags from Attwoods...

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

Did you get the Corral insecticide? You mix 5 ounces in 4 gallons. I have a 25 gallon sprayer and I put 30 ounces in it.

@desmomotodesmomoto2033 2 жыл бұрын

Have a very big fan and attach a very tin bag type screen at the back . The fan sucks the fly's and they get trapped in the bag. They die as wind dehydrates them, you can catch millions of them a day.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a good idea!

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see how this works! Video? Pics?

@desmomotodesmomoto2033 Жыл бұрын

@@tracir3128 Search out the : Mosquito trap DYI 8,000 mosquito kill..., or check Mosquito fan trap... I have seen huge ones in action where they raised pigs and they used to catch ton of them, then fed the dead ones to chickens.

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

@@desmomotodesmomoto2033 thank you! I found some but is the fan strong enough on intake to catch flies? Most of the videos I found sprayed alcohol to kill what mosquitoes were caught…do flies need to be sprayed with something else?

@desmomotodesmomoto2033 Жыл бұрын

@@tracir3128 The fans I saw were huuuge. Industrial type fans, so all flys ended up dead due to dehydration. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of the fans. Even If you use smaller fan, getting rid off the catch won't be hard. You could freeze them too. I saw at night they had lights near the fans to attract the flys toward the fans. I think smaller fans would work too if located at the right place, but the exhaust side should be secure nicely so they don't scape. Going to bed now. Bye from Toronto Canada.

@christinalaucella2241 2 жыл бұрын

Hello I’m Daniel I use carrasyn diesel sorry can’t spell it for my cows to spray. Is that good for the flies. The old owner told me that used to own the house I’m living at said he uses that to spray the cows. Personally I don’t like that. Please comment me back thank you

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t know if good or not. It probably works if you are in a pinch.

@norman1826 2 жыл бұрын

I do the same...these damn flies can cause stress to the animals and thereby can also loose condition.....

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

They make the cows absolutely crazy! Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures.

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

Hi Cliff I am new to regenerative agriculture and desperately trying to find a solution for fly control (we previously used Permithryn but cannot use that anymore and cannot seem to find a product that is dung beetle approved). I believe your video you said you used Co-Ral...did you find it affected your dung beetles? Also I noticed you sprayed them all over? No problem spraying the teets on nursing mamas? Any other solutions you have come across in the past year? I too am in central texas so getting much needed rain but the flys are mutliplying fast!

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

I still have dung beetles, so I’m assuming not a huge effect on them. I would like something natural but haven’t found anything yet.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

And, I don’t intentionally spray the teats but I know they get a bit. Doesn’t seem to affect the calves.

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Thank you Cliff...I am in the process of trying different all natural solutions to see what works best. I did do some spot spraying with Stryker just to give them some relief...read somewhere that Pyrethrin (botanical insecticide derived from Chrysanthemum flowers) are far less toxic to beneficial insects that the synthetic SP's ...time will tell. :)

@eyeofchorus6313 2 жыл бұрын

Would it be silly to consider walking through the previous paddock each day with an aluminum shovel and scraping all the cow pats across the ground?

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

Would be very time consuming walking around 4-5 acres each day. Each cow will likely produce 10 -15 pats in a 24 hour period. 10 pats x 60 head would be a lot!

@eyeofchorus6313 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Gotcha, 5 cows might be doable. ty for the reply.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

@@eyeofchorus6313 thanks for the comment! I like thinking outside the box too!

@charmainevandiford6622 Ай бұрын

If the cows didn’t like it why would they turn so you could the other side. I think they like getting them aggravating flies off them. You cows your way in my opinion. You are a Vet and I understand you want what’s best for your cows. No different from a drip system and I even watched one the guy has a machine that sprays them when they come for water. Do it your way.

@davidpetker8475 Жыл бұрын

So if the flys come from the "waste" run birds 3 days behind the cows so they eat that protein before it flies and put it back in the soil via more "waste". While your at it inoculate some biochar spread that on your best fields to catch that good nutrients and in 2 years let me know how your fields are doing then.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

I’m limited by time presently but love your idea!

@garybrunson2552 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your channel Cliff. I have been a fan of Greg Judy and appreciate your Texas perspective (we’re in Bosque county). I would be very hesitant to use a liquid petrochemical insecticide (especially one that requires a prescription)on anything I intended to consume. Everything topically applied makes it into the bloodstream, especially when applied to mucous membrane tissue. It is a reasonable conclusion that petrochemical insecticide will bioaccumulate in the tissue of treated cattle (in addition to beneficial insects, i.e., dung beetle). Hence with every application the ppm of contamination increases (reduction would be based upon biological half life). Are there any other treatments for flies available that are more natural or at least less toxic?

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Gary, thanks for the comment….I had a company in Delaware send me a natural product that I intend to try (it will be sprayed on as well). Hoping it will be very effective. You make an excellent point and I am making an effort to find something natural that works. Stay tuned.

@garybrunson2552 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher I spoke with a rancher over in Comanche county and he suggested neem oil or dusting with diatomaceous earth.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

@@garybrunson2552 does he think either works? Will they last very long?

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

How did the natural product work? Can you pls share?

@lindaferguson593 Жыл бұрын

One cup of cooking oil, one cup of shampoo, one cup of vinegar, one spoon of herb oil like cedar, tea tree oil, lavender etc and mix all ingredients together with one gallon of water and guaranteed no more ectoparasits or flies.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

How long will it last?

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

Safe to use on nursing cattle, calves? Wont harm beneficial insects?

@lindaferguson593 Жыл бұрын

@@tracir3128 yes.

@tracir3128 Жыл бұрын

@@lindaferguson593 Thank you Linda...you mean yes to the safe to use on nursing mamas/calfs, right? Not yes to beneficial insects or is it harmful to them too? I have tried this recipe and it did temporarily get the flys to move over to the cows who I hadn't sprayed yet but I did find it only lasted about 20-30 minutes...what is your experience with this?

@lindaferguson593 Жыл бұрын

@Traci R once you spray all cows, it lessens the chances. Could be the time of day or area that you spray them in that could affect the application.

@pabloenriquechavesmonsalve4786 2 жыл бұрын

first thing to do is to brake the life cycle of the Flies, which is arround 14 days.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

Correct. That can be the hard part.

@GeorgiaAlbert Жыл бұрын

Spread chicken feed on cow patties and let the chickens eat the larvae. It works Great!

@skeon67 Жыл бұрын

thats a lot of chickens and feed for 100's of acres

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

Would be great, no doubt but the coyotes would wipe them out here 😩

@GeorgiaAlbert Жыл бұрын

@@skeon67 You are right. 100 acres of cow patties requires flooding. Egads, Flooding makes ideal conditions for mosquitos. I guess you'd have to limit the chickens to around the house. What wild bird species feed on flies?

@antymuz 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for giving the name of the product @ 3:43 while the cow was screaming. Big help😒

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 10 ай бұрын

Sorry! Co-Ral insecticide

@donnaforte5379 9 ай бұрын

You forgot the little cows..

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 7 ай бұрын

The flies leave them alone after mama is sprayed.

@downbntout 2 жыл бұрын

People don't always realize that these aren't sponge-mouth houseflies, they're bloodthirsty flies with painful shot-needle bites

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

And they drive the cows crazy!

@jlkkauffman7942 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher have you tried parasitic wasps? they feed on the fly larva a dairy farmer here uses them and he has no flies in his manure pit and he said he never notices the wasps

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I have at my equine hospital with abysmal results but maybe we didn’t do it right. I haven’t for the cattle. Should give it a try.

@jlkkauffman7942 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher it might only work when the Area is confined like a manure shed I don’t know so it might not work in open pasture! I do know it takes about a month to see results so it’s something to start in the spring!

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

I will investigate! Thanks

@xyooj96 Жыл бұрын

if you have sufficient number of muscovies, could solve your flies

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher Жыл бұрын

Very few around here unfortunately.

@xyooj96 Жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher in my experience breedint muscovies, it's worth having them around. use to have lots of flies, mosquitos, mice, and other critters around, but now don't see them anymore with our muscovy flock. you have to clip their wings to prevent them from flying away from your property. muscovies will save you from flies. otherwise, i heard that garlic in the cattle feed also works too. but garlic will cost you to buy the powder than mix with the cattle minerals/feed , while muscovy will breed themselves for you

@dberg1964 2 жыл бұрын

Greg is also moving his cattle every day. That is huge.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely huge. Wish I had the time to make that happen but baby steps!

@dberg1964 2 жыл бұрын

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher yep. That’s what it takes. I’ve been moving my 25 head every three weeks between three different 15 acre pastures. Grass is looking better. But dang!! We need some rain up here around the KC Mo area.

@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher 2 жыл бұрын

We do too! Pretty good chance here over the next several days! 🙏🏻🙏🏻