Buffalo Fly

[minnie]

For all of those unfortunate people with cattle north where the buffalo fly is I'm starting to win with the Cattle Coat.

The last 4 days, I've taken my little bucket and 50ml syringe and squirted anywhere I could get to get them under control and it looks as though it's working. Normally I don't apply daily but the daily seems to be working.

I'd rather do them with cattle coat daily than poisons every 21 days. But next year will tag, it's just awful how those flies damage the cows eyes.

Vicki

[Heidi]

Hi,
A curse upon Buffalo Fly! I was up at the ungodly hour of 1am this morning, (had left the cows in the house paddock to eat the grass down, and one came in season... there was rather too much lovin' going on under my bedroom window with the new bull ) Anyway, I had thought buffalo fly left at night time and the cattle got some respite, not so, maybe it was the full moon, but they were just as bothered at night time as they have been during the day.

I'm off to buy a backscratcher tomorrow I think. I have put it off for so many years, but now with the massive herd I have (6 cows ) I think it will be more effective. The ear tags must be removed by a certain time each year, or the fly get resistant. The farmer down the road has had great success with his backscratcher, and the cattle seek it out, when he moves it from paddock to paddock. I have found an organic mix that can be put in the scratcher.

Poor creatures, I'm almost going to resort to aeroguard in the mean time!

H

[minnie]

Hi Heidi,

We've got the back 'rubber' and I tied it across a gateway that they had to get to, to water, well some refused as drank small puddles the other side and the others went under the end that the backrubber wasn't on! Talk about annoying... but I will try again in the new paddock and hope they discover it.

We use Cattle Coat (I think it's the only organic one) and get the big container around about $150, Lynda got smaller ones of Pony Coat that they tell you is the same but she says there's one ingredient difference and she feels it's not quite as good as Cattle Coat.

I thought the flies left at times too, but was recently told they live on the animal so 24/7... horrible things!

Hey sounds good about the bull, did you keep his name?

Vicki

[Heidi]

Hi Vicki,
I went to Norco to buy the backrubber, but coudln't get the Cattle Coat... so returned home with Nucidol (not great, but I did some due diligence research about it and milk... and as I'm not currently milking, it will be fine... it appears to be a "registration" issue... other products that have "nil withholding" have the same active ingredient at the same concentration...). So will spray the cattle this evening with Nucidol (every 21 days).

Where did you buy the Cattle Coat from? Our Norco, lets say, are sometimes less than helpful for anything they may have to order in... just the blank look, and the "no.. we don't have it" comeback.

I wouldn't dream of changing MacGregor's name... it holds some sentimental significance for Lynda, but he also responds to his name. I dare say, it will get shortened to Mac eventually. Also, I would say my Jersey is pregnant Never having seen the whole courtship between bull and cow, I was suprised by the way he just stayed by her side, mooing gentle (almost like a new mum moo that cows' do to their calves). It was like he was whispering sweet nothings into her ear! In the moonlight at 12am, I had thought it was her long since weaned calf getting ideas to start nursing again!

Okay, better go, if you could let me know about the Cattle Coat, that would be great.

H

[missy]

I had Norco Grafton get the cattle coat sent down from Norco Lismore. I think it only took 2 days. Once they knew what I wanted they were happy to help.

[minnie]

Hi Heidi,

I go to Norco Casino, and they get quite a bit in as well. I'd order the smaller one (can't remember the size) but they sent only Pony Coat hence the bigger one and I'm now glad to get the big one. It can be put away for next year whatever's over and works out much better cost wise than lots of small one. In saying that, we don't have a 'weekly' wage so to speak so when the chips are in we stock the freezer and where possible buy in bulk.

But as Missy says if Lismore send through???

How lovely, he's going to be a lovely romantic bull... that's so nice.

Just thought - I'd still hang the backrubber without anything to let them get used to it, before priming it if you're going to spray them.

If I get the time today I'll take down (still half on the gateway) ours and put it over in the new paddock that's getting wired today, well hopefully if it doesn't rain too much.


Vicki

[Heidi]

Hi,
Unfortunately, I really do think its "who" you get at some shops! Going off what Missy said, I rang Norco and got on to someone else than the one who said "no". She checked for me, and both Casino and Lismore are out of stock (gee I wonder why.. perhaps all the buffalo around ) However, they are going to get it in for me.... eventually! Maybe after buffalo season is over, but at least I'll be prepared!
H

[minnie]

Hi Heidi,

It comes from QLD, the same people who make the backrubbers.

Often at Primex Casino they have a stand and sell cheaper because no freight and direct, for some reason it cost more for postage and freight from QLD (apparently?). We got our backrubber at Primex and while I can't remember the price it was a lot cheaper. So this year (June) I thought if they have the big Cattle Coat any cheaper (worthwhile less) I'll get some and stash it away for fly season.

I just hate what they're doing to the cattle this year, it's terrible.

I've noticed the ones with horns they gather in huge numbers and stay on the horns, so they're eyes cop a beating. And you can't squirt from a distance close to the eyes because you wouldn't want to get the oil into their eyes.

Vicki

[Heidi]

Hi,
I actually left a message on the producer's website, and they contacted me two days later. A lovely woman. Metalcorp at Lismore ( or was it Casino?) had just ordered 20 lots of it. So I will need to see if they have any transport coming down this way. They will be at Primex again too this year.
H

[minnie]

Hi Heidi,

I saw the large ones (approx $150) in Norco Casino on Monday, they had quite a few.

I've noticed that Fatima has this waxy dandruff, and I've been giving her a good brush (lucky she loves it) and thought it's a build up of the oil?? But that's most likely why she's been more spared than the others.

Vicki

[Heidi]

oooh... shall get back onto Norco Grafton to get some down from Casino!
Thanks,
H