The relentless challenge of controlling flies on cattle can frustrate even seasoned ranchers. Just as you think they’re under control, they return—buzzing around eyes, biting legs, and stressing your herd. You’re not alone in dealing with this. The real key to fly control isn’t total elimination, but staying ahead of their life cycle.When spring temperatures go up, flies that spent the winter in manure, hay waste, and feeding areas start to appear. A small number can quickly turn into a big problem if you don’t act early. Heavy fly pressure does more than just bother your cattle; it also costs you money. Horn flies can lower weaning weights, stable flies can reduce average daily gain, and face flies raise the risk of pinkeye. Flies also cause stress, reducing grazing time and overall performance.
To manage flies on cattle effectively, focus on timing and develop a clear prevention plan. Begin before fly numbers rise by keeping feeding areas clean, using control products early based on fly life cycles, and checking your cattle often for early signs. Prevention and the use of multiple control methods are important.
No single method works perfectly on its own. However, if you combine different approaches and use them at the right time, you can greatly reduce fly problems before they affect your cattle’s performance.
You might never completely get rid of flies, but by acting now and using several control methods, you can protect your cattle, maintain your weaning weights, and keep your profits. To ensure your herd’s health and your business’s success, commit to getting ahead of fly season. This begins by identifying the most important times for prevention and knowing when and how to apply these strategies.
If you hang around a feed store or sale barn in late winter and early spring, you’ll hear the same advice repeated like clockwork: “
Breeding season is what powers every successful cow-calf operation. It’s the time when you determine next year’s calf crop and your future paycheck. If you want a tight calving season, strong weaning weights, and consistent results, aim to have at least 90% of your cows bred early and efficiently. Achieving this level of success takes preparation.
When March arrives, it’s natural to feel hopeful about spring grazing. A few warm afternoons appear, the pasture starts to show a faint green tint, and cows begin pacing the fence line as if they sense turnout is near. After months of winter feeding and looking at dormant grass, those first green shoots seem like freedom and a sign of lower feed costs ahead.
In March, most cattle producers are thinking about spring grass, dealing with muddy gates, and cutting back on winter feeding. Mineral programs often get overlooked. But this is when late-winter mineral deficiencies tend to show up in beef cattle.
When March arrives, most cattle producers are eager to stop feeding hay.
Spring forage planning should begin before pastures turn green. Waiting until then is one of the costliest mistakes producers can make.
When feeding cattle, most people focus on protein, energy, and minerals. But roughage plays a key role in a healthy diet. Without enough roughage, a cow’s digestive system won’t work as it should. Roughages provide the fiber that keeps the rumen active, helping cattle break down feed, absorb nutrients, and stay productive. In short, roughage forms the base of the whole diet.
Creep feeding allows calves to access feed that mature cows cannot. This practice can promote superior calf growth and raise weaning weights, meaning the calf’s weight when separated from its mother. Elevated weaning weights typically result in higher sale prices at year’s end. Providing calves with a digestible supplement supports growth even if forage quality or milk yield declines. Still, creep feeding is not a universal fix. Like any cow-calf management decision, it is most effective when applied strategically for clear objectives.
At first glance, February calving doesn’t seem too bad. The harshest winter days are usually over; daylight is increasing, and some warmer afternoons are appearing. It’s easy to believe the hardest part of winter calving is behind you.
