“Fly and tick control is important to reduce the spread of diseases that negatively impact cattle operation’s productivity,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
Health problems in cattle such as pinkeye, Theileria orientalis (Ikeda) and anaplasmosis are spread through flies and ticks. Davis discusses management strategies to reduce these problems in your cattle operation.
The main culprit that causes pinkeye is the bacterium Moraxella bovis, he says. Face flies irritate the eye and transmit the bacteria. Pinkeye that can affect an animal’s performance until the eyes heal. Davis encourages face fly control to reduce pinkeye.
“Anaplasmosis is caused by red blood cells being infected by the blood parasite Anaplasma marginale,” says Davis. The infection causes an immune response, destroys red blood cells and causes anemia in cattle. Anaplasmosis can lead to abortions, decreased weight gain, bull infertility and animal death. To reduce herd anaplasmosis, Davis encourages cattle producers to reduce modes of transmission, which include ticks, flies and mechanical vectors.
Source : missouri.edu