Flies affect milk quality and productivity

The presence of houseflies on dairy farms has become an increasing challenge to the production routine, with direct impacts on herd performance. Industry consultants warn that the insect, also common in urban areas, acts as a vector for dozens of pathogens capable of affecting animal health and milk quality. Zootechnician Margareth Dellatorre points out that the stress caused by the infestation reduces feed consumption and interferes with the cows' rest time, factors linked to the drop in productivity. There is also a risk of compromising udder health, which can increase the somatic cell count and impair the final quality of the product. "Inefficient control of these insects results in increased farm costs, either through disease treatment or the drop in milk production," warns the zootechnician from Vetoquinol Saúde Animal. The losses include a higher incidence of diseases such as mastitis, diarrhea, salmonellosis, keratoconjunctivitis, helminth infections, tuberculosis, and ...