Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, He's the director of business development for the American Cattlemen Media group and he sits down with Brian Hupp with Central Life Sciences.

Growing up on a family farm in Illinois, Brian brings a personal passion for agricultural production to his role. Central Life Sciences has established itself as an industry leader in insect control, with a comprehensive range of products targeting various pests, including horn flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. 

The discussion centers on the unique challenges posed by horn flies, which differ from other livestock flies by remaining on cattle 24/7 and taking 30-40 blood meals daily. These persistent insects cause significant stress to cattle, reducing their comfort, health, and ultimately, profitability.

Altosid IGR, Central Life Sciences' flagship product, offers a proactive approach to fly control. By targeting horn fly larvae in fresh manure, the product prevents future generations of flies from emerging. Research shows that effective fly control can increase calf weaning weights by approximately 20 pounds and improve stocker cattle weight gains by 28-30 pounds in just 86-90 days.

Hupp emphasizes an integrated pest management approach, recommending multiple strategies beyond chemical treatments. This includes proper sanitation, removing potential breeding sites, and using a combination of products like sprays and larvicides.

The key to successful fly control is not complete eradication but maintaining fly populations below 200 per animal. By implementing comprehensive management strategies, producers can significantly reduce the economic and animal welfare impacts of fly infestations.

The podcast underscores the importance of proactive pest management in livestock production, offering producers practical insights and solutions for maintaining healthy, productive herds.

For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.

American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:

DMTC Consulting

Rawhide Portable Corrals

Udder Tech, Inc.

Central Life Sciences