Compatibility of biological and cultural control in dairy heifer group housing

Abstract

The compatibility of biological and cultural fly control on dairies was examined in three ways. First, a review of the current literature concerning filth fly production and filth fly pupal parasitoids on dairies was conducted to asses where there was a lack of information. Second, a survey of filth fly species and their pupal parasitoids was conducted on six organic dairies in Wisconsin and Minnesota to determine where on dairies both filth flies and their pupal parasitoids were most commonly breeding. Third, filth fly production and efficacy of their pupal parasitoids was examined in three different commercially available bedding materials in a heifer rearing facility in southern Minnesota in 2009 and 2010.