fly tags?

[Mironsfarm]

does anyone use the fly tags that goes in side the cows ears? and how well do they work and what brand works the best

[G. Seddon]

I noticed a big difference the year I used flytags on the cows. Put tags in early spring and remove them in the fall. It does leave holes in the cows' ears, but they don't seem to mind. It's a little late in the season if you're thinking of using them this year though.

You need to alternate the chemical tags each year to help prevent resistance (permethrins vs. organophosphates -- hope I have the correct names). Usually whatever brand name you buy will carry both varieties. Not necessarily a recommendation for Bayer, but if you google 'Bayer Flytags for Cattle,' you'll get more information than I have put here.

[SCRancher]

I use them - due to the warm winter I had to put them in early this year and they were starting to lose effectiveness after about 3 1/2 months so I then put in the alternate chemical type that G. Seddon mentioned. Pretty much fly free all year with the exception of horse/deer fly's which are not effected by the chemicals in a significant way. The horse/deer flys are perhaps 5 or 6 fly's in my herd of approx 20 cattle of various ages.

I tried going with out fly tags and just spraying my animals but they were actually injuring themselves against trees trying to get away from the fly's.

I doubt I'll use anything else.

[Mironsfarm]

thanks for the replys i was going to use it for next year i had a really bad fly problem early this year bought some spray worked for a week and then was wearing off went to go buy another cow yesterday and the guy had one in her ear never saw that before i just wanted to know if they really work and if they do work i am going to buy some for next year for sure! thanks for the replys