Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Ectrin ear tags are insecticide-impregnated with the active ingredient fenvalerate (8%). They are approved for use on lactating dairy cattle, beef cattle and calves. Each time an animal turns on tosses its head, a layer of Ectrin is rubbed or falls off onto the animal. As one insecticide layter is rubbed off, another forms. This action continues for the life of the tag. Advantages to this type of horn fly control are tagging is quick and easy using the All-Flex specially designed pliers, dampness or rain has little effect on efficacy, and the fly control reservoir is carried and used by each treated animal. A random sample of 10 animals from each herd was counted using binoculars and looking out of a pickup window. Results are presented as an average number of horn flies/side of these 10 animals. An equal number of untreated or control animals was counted from a herd near the treated herd at nearly the same time. Problems of last tags or infected ears due to the tags were minimal