Episode 302 - Fly Frenzy: Understanding and Controlling Flies on Your Farm - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Abstract

Brad flies solo in this episode—literally and figuratively—to tackle a problem buzzing on every farmer’s mind around the 4th of July: flies. With heavy rains in the Upper Midwest fueling major fly outbreaks, Brad dives deep into why managing flies is essential for livestock health, productivity, and human comfort.He covers the four main types of flies affecting livestock—stable flies, house flies, horn flies, and face flies—including their behaviors, lifecycles, preferred habitats, and the economic losses they cause. From foot-stomping stable flies in confinement to pinkeye-spreading face flies on pasture, Brad emphasizes the importance of identifying the fly species to choose effective control methods.Management strategies discussed include manure and bedding management, fans, fly traps, fly predators, sprays, and even a horn fly vaccine being tested at the UMN research dairy. Brad also shares fascinating research on how coat color in cattle affects fly load, with black-coated animals attracting more flies than lighter-colored ones.Whether you're dealing with flies in barns or on pasture, this episode breaks down how to reduce their impact on your operation—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.