Horned flies threaten cattle farming in Brazil

The horn fly (Haematobia irritans) continues to be one of the main parasites affecting cattle farming in Brazil, with direct impacts on the productivity and profitability of properties. According to veterinarian Felipe Pivoto, technical services manager for production animals at Vetoquinol Saúde Animal, "In Brazil, this parasite finds ideal conditions to multiply, as the country has, for most of the year, high temperatures and regular rainfall, characteristics of the tropical climate". With a hematophagous behavior, the insect performs, on average, 40 bites per day on each animal, causing discomfort and a drop in productive performance. A study by the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul indicates that the infestation can generate losses of more than half an arroba per animal over a period of 210 days, compromising the zootechnical performance of the herd. Among the control methods, insecticidal ear tags have proven effective. "This is, demonstrably, a modern and efficient ...