source: Farm and Food Report
We have all experienced their voracious appetite at one time or another.
Black flies are not only one of the most unpleasant pests in the wilderness, they can actually cause serious injury to cattle — especially among young calves.
That is why Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food is providing $125,000 again this year to help prevent infestations.
Jim Armstrong is Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Manager of Field Services in Tisdale.
“Newly born calves have been known to die as a result of black fly infestations. When the flies attack cattle, the cows can come under so much stress that they can stop feeding. The flies will attack calves and any other livestock in their way. Eyes and the underside of the animals are particularly vulnerable.”
The northeast region is prime breeding ground for black flies, which is why the control program focuses on that region.
Shawn Meckelborg is the Program Coordinator with the District #32 Agriculture Development and Diversification Board.
“The abatement zone includes the areas surrounding the North, South, and Main Saskatchewan rivers between Shellbrook, St. Louis, Melfort, and Nipawin. The Torch River North of Choiceland and surrounding areas are also included. The zone was chosen because of its unique characteristics, in that prime black fly habitat is mingled with livestock production to cause severe damage and significant financial losses to farmers in the area.”
It has been estimated that the damage caused by black fly harassment can result in annual losses of as much as $3 million to cattle producers. Black flies also affect other domestic livestock, such as elk and bison.
To control them, early intervention in the form of a biological pesticide is used. Meckelborg explains how it works:
“Bacillus thuringiensis – israelensis (Bt-i) is used to target larval populations while they are restricted to aquatic systems before mass emergence of biting adults. Adult black flies quickly become widespread and cannot be effectively managed. Effective larvicide treatments in the spring are considered to be most important, since the dominant pest species, Simulium luggeri, can have many generations each season.”
Bt-i is a bacterial pesticide, which must be ingested by the target organism to have any effect. It is very target specific and leaves all the natural predators of black fly larva unharmed. As it is not a chemical pesticide, it degenerates quickly in the environment, causing no lasting effects to the ecosystem.
“The pesticide is delivered by use of a jet boat and spray tank apparatus with an in-line flow meter used to gauge dosage rate. The dosage or parts per million which produces the best results in the Saskatchewan River system is 1.5-2.0. The amount of Bt-i required to achieve this concentration varies depending on the river flow rate.”
The program’s success is gauged by a group of cooperating livestock producers within the abatement zone. Each monitors fly activity in their area and reports back regularly. By using these methods, the program has been able to significantly reduce black fly harassment in the abatement zone and thus reduce financial losses to area livestock producers.
Everyone wins. The producers themselves enjoy better working conditions, and tourists have a better chance to enjoy their stay in the region if black fly population levels are low.
After all, vacationers do tend to stay away from zones where they become the main attraction… or the meal of the day.
For more information, contact:
Jim Armstrong
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306)878-8804
Shawn Meckelborg
District #32 Agriculture Development and Diversification Board
(306)763-0609
We have all experienced their voracious appetite at one time or another.
Black flies are not only one of the most unpleasant pests in the wilderness, they can actually cause serious injury to cattle — especially among young calves.
That is why Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food is providing $125,000 again this year to help prevent infestations.
Jim Armstrong is Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Manager of Field Services in Tisdale.
“Newly born calves have been known to die as a result of black fly infestations. When the flies attack cattle, the cows can come under so much stress that they can stop feeding. The flies will attack calves and any other livestock in their way. Eyes and the underside of the animals are particularly vulnerable.”
The northeast region is prime breeding ground for black flies, which is why the control program focuses on that region.
Shawn Meckelborg is the Program Coordinator with the District #32 Agriculture Development and Diversification Board.
“The abatement zone includes the areas surrounding the North, South, and Main Saskatchewan rivers between Shellbrook, St. Louis, Melfort, and Nipawin. The Torch River North of Choiceland and surrounding areas are also included. The zone was chosen because of its unique characteristics, in that prime black fly habitat is mingled with livestock production to cause severe damage and significant financial losses to farmers in the area.”
It has been estimated that the damage caused by black fly harassment can result in annual losses of as much as $3 million to cattle producers. Black flies also affect other domestic livestock, such as elk and bison.
To control them, early intervention in the form of a biological pesticide is used. Meckelborg explains how it works:
“Bacillus thuringiensis – israelensis (Bt-i) is used to target larval populations while they are restricted to aquatic systems before mass emergence of biting adults. Adult black flies quickly become widespread and cannot be effectively managed. Effective larvicide treatments in the spring are considered to be most important, since the dominant pest species, Simulium luggeri, can have many generations each season.”
Bt-i is a bacterial pesticide, which must be ingested by the target organism to have any effect. It is very target specific and leaves all the natural predators of black fly larva unharmed. As it is not a chemical pesticide, it degenerates quickly in the environment, causing no lasting effects to the ecosystem.
“The pesticide is delivered by use of a jet boat and spray tank apparatus with an in-line flow meter used to gauge dosage rate. The dosage or parts per million which produces the best results in the Saskatchewan River system is 1.5-2.0. The amount of Bt-i required to achieve this concentration varies depending on the river flow rate.”
The program’s success is gauged by a group of cooperating livestock producers within the abatement zone. Each monitors fly activity in their area and reports back regularly. By using these methods, the program has been able to significantly reduce black fly harassment in the abatement zone and thus reduce financial losses to area livestock producers.
Everyone wins. The producers themselves enjoy better working conditions, and tourists have a better chance to enjoy their stay in the region if black fly population levels are low.
After all, vacationers do tend to stay away from zones where they become the main attraction… or the meal of the day.
For more information, contact:
Jim Armstrong
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306)878-8804
Shawn Meckelborg
District #32 Agriculture Development and Diversification Board
(306)763-0609
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