08/01/2025
Altosid (which contains the active ingredient methoprene) is crucial for cattle during summer months primarily because it's an insect growth regulator (IGR) specifically targeting horn flies, which are a major pest for cattle. Here's why it's so important:
Breaks the Horn Fly Life Cycle: Altosid works by passing through the cattle's digestive system and into their manure. When horn fly larvae feed on this manure, the methoprene disrupts their development, preventing them from maturing into biting adult flies. This effectively breaks the horn fly life cycle at the pupal stage.
Prevents Economic Losses: Horn flies are blood-sucking parasites that can take numerous blood meals a day (up to 40 per fly). High horn fly populations cause significant stress to cattle, leading to:
Reduced Grazing Time: Cattle spend more time trying to dislodge flies instead of grazing.
Decreased Feed Intake: Stress and irritation can lead to lower feed consumption.
Reduced Weight Gain: Studies have shown that horn flies can significantly decrease average daily gain (ADG) in calves and steers, impacting profitability.
Lower Milk Production: In dairy cattle, fly stress can lead to reduced milk yield.
Disease Transmission: Horn flies can also transmit diseases like bovine mastitis.
Non-Toxic to Cattle: Altosid is an IGR, not a traditional insecticide that directly poisons flies. It specifically interferes with insect development, making it safe for cattle and not absorbed into their bloodstream.
Less Labor-Intensive: Unlike traditional methods like sprays, pour-ons, or ear tags that require handling individual animals, Altosid is typically fed to cattle through mineral supplements, blocks, or feed. This makes it a much less labor-intensive and low-stress method of fly control.
Reduces Insecticide Resistance: Since Altosid works by disrupting development rather than direct toxicity, horn flies are less likely to develop resistance to it compared to some conventional insecticides. It also doesn't harm beneficial insects like dung beetles, which are important for pasture health.
Proactive Control: For optimal effectiveness, Altosid should be started before horn fly populations emerge in the spring (often when average daily temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit) and continued throughout the summer and into the fall (30 days after the first frost). This proactive approach prevents large fly populations from building up.
This inflormation was obtained from Gemini.
Southside Feed
1451 Industrial Drive
Neosho, MO 64850
(417) 451-0411
