Cattel Sprayer idea

[Dusty Britches]

That is crazy expensive. I thought it was a DIY thing. The wheels had me thrown for a loop though.

I'm sure you could set up a driveway sensor to trigger it or use a arm on a spring that turns it on when they walk through.

Or -- just buy fly resistant cattle and not worry about it.

 

[sstterry]

Sprayed again yesterday and half the herd got Fly Ban, the other half got plain ol' 10% permethrin from the Co-Op mixed with canola oil. Only been a day, but essentially no flies on either group, will keep track for the next 1-2 weeks.

If I recall, Grit added a synergist to his mix and that was one of the keys to its effectiveness. If I have to spray (using fly control in my mineral and have not had a real problem this year) I always add a synergist to the permethrin.

 

[Brute 23]

I'm trying the Purina tub that is suppose to be some kind of mineral deal with the fly control on a little group of heifers. I'm not impressed at all. I through a little powder on them to knock the bulk of flies off and give it time. It's been about a month and they are coming back heavy.

 

[JParrott]

I'm trying the Purina tub that is suppose to be some kind of mineral deal with the fly control on a little group of heifers. I'm not impressed at all. I through a little powder on them to knock the bulk of flies off and give it time. It's been about a month and they are coming back heavy.

I used the MFA fly tubs for the past two years and wasn't impressed either. Didn't do them this year. Used to use the MFA fescue guard tubs too but the clover has come in so thick and well that I laid off of those too this year. Those ended up being a thousand bucks a year give or take. This year may not be a good year to make in comparison given what prices are looking to be at this fall but I never was able to pencil out the gains over previous years and another gallon of spray is the same price as a single tub and does a better job IMO.

 

[sstterry]

Or -- just buy fly resistant cattle and not worry about it.

I bought some once and the seller assured me that they were fly resistant, I think he mislead me...........
I bought some striped paint and a board stretcher from him too, but I have not tried those yet.

 

[TCRanch]

If I recall, Grit added a synergist to his mix and that was one of the keys to its effectiveness. If I have to spray (using fly control in my mineral and have not had a real problem this year) I always add a synergist to the permethrin.

Yes, he did. This is what Grit sent me:

This one is similar to UltraBoss, 6oz permithion, 6oz PBO8 and 1 qallon corn oil. I add a pint of diesel fuel because I use old 5 liter pour on wormer containers and application gun.
This one is similar to Ultra Sabre, 3 oz Lambda-cyhalothrin, 6oz PBO8 and 1 gallon of corn oil, I also add diesel fuel to this mix.


Prentox PBO-8 Synergist is an emulsifiable concentrate that synergizes most commonly used insecticides. It contains the only US-made Piperonyl Butoxide as its active ingredient and it is used as an additive in many insecticides to help enhance their performance and resistance management. It is designed to help improve control of insects and mites using lower rates. With its low risk toxicological profile, PBO-8 is safe for humans and the environment. PBO-8 can be used in a variety of different locations from residential dwellings to livestock housing. It works with different types of fogging, misting, or spray equipment to let you use it according to site or pest requirements. But, it is not to be used in outdoor residential misting systems. When mixing PBO-8 with insecticides or acaracides, please do so as listed on the product label. This product has no insecticidal activity on its own.


I use a gun full on cows, 2 gun fulls on bulls and a half a gun or less on calves. I start behind the ears and go to the tail head. The recommend dose is 3 ml per 100 lb. Reminder, the under use of insecticides creates immunity and doesn't work nearly as well.

https://www.domyown.com/prentox-pbo8-synergist-p-15604.html

https://www.domyown.com/demand-cs-p-46.html

https://www.domyown.com/permethrin-sfr-368-p-445.html

 

[greybeard]

12V pump at TSC
$90
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/fimco-high-performance-24-gpm-12v-pump-5151087(or)
25 gal tank and pump with wire harness and 40' of hose at TSC
$190.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/fimco-25-gal-deluxe-spot-sprayer-5302938
12 volt Everstart battery at Walmart:
$88 (I selected the one that fits my Silverado)
Solar battery charger at Harbor Freight
$15
Eight Spray nozzles at TSC
$16.
25' 3/8 rubber hose TSC
$55
8 brass nozzle fittings TSC
$25
8 brass nozzle caps TSC
$20
Four 3/8 barb elbows
$12
One 3/8x3/8x3/8 barb Tee TSC
$2.50
two 3/8 straight barb hose connectors TSC
$3.60
One sprayer harness wiring kit TSC
$30
twelve hose clamps for 3/8 hose TSC
$6

12-24V body infrared motion detector at Walmart
$12 ea

So, about $500-$600 will get you started..you'll need some angle iron and a few other things..

 

[Ferd]

I spray mine, they go cool off in a pond. The flies come back. I have fewer flies because I use Justifly in the mineral which prevents reproduction in manure, but there are still plenty. I need to find cheap garlic and also add it to the mineral. They have the small flies that sit on the cows sides and horseflies.

 

[Shoestring]

I used tubs with additives. Neighbor didn't. No apparent change in # of flies

 

[TCRanch]

I used tubs with additives. Neighbor didn't. No apparent change in # of flies

And there it is! A neighbors' pasture shares a fence row about .5 mile with 2 of my pastures. Their fly control consists of fly tags in late March/early April and that's it. If his cows are close enough to the gate, I'll sometimes go over and spray them as well. Neighbor across the road has a couple cattle rubs and that's it.

Doesn't matter how diligent you are; your efforts will be tripled if there are nearby cattle with essentially no fly control.

 

[C-Ranch]

12V pump at TSC
$90
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/fimco-high-performance-24-gpm-12v-pump-5151087(or)
25 gal tank and pump with wire harness and 40' of hose at TSC
$190.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/fimco-25-gal-deluxe-spot-sprayer-5302938
12 volt Everstart battery at Walmart:
$88 (I selected the one that fits my Silverado)
Solar battery charger at Harbor Freight
$15
Eight Spray nozzles at TSC
$16.
25' 3/8 rubber hose TSC
$55
8 brass nozzle fittings TSC
$25
8 brass nozzle caps TSC
$20
Four 3/8 barb elbows
$12
One 3/8x3/8x3/8 barb Tee TSC
$2.50
two 3/8 straight barb hose connectors TSC
$3.60
One sprayer harness wiring kit TSC
$30
twelve hose clamps for 3/8 hose TSC
$6

12-24V body infrared motion detector at Walmart
$12 ea

So, about $500-$600 will get you started..you'll need some angle iron and a few other things..

You were thinking like me and just build my own. I'm thinking I'd just drive in 2 3/8s steel posts about 3ft deep and leave 4ft sticking out and weld a plate across the top for the spray tank to sit on. Hadn't put together a parts list, so thank you for that. .

 

[TCRanch]

Well, here are my unscientific results:
Sprayed the herd 8/22. The group at the lake got Fly Ban, the group in the south pasture got a mixture of 10% Permethrin mixed with canola oil. Using www.domyown.com as an example, 1 gallon of Martin's Fly Ban is 120.17 or 111.92 for 2 or more, 1 gallon of Martin's 10% Permethrin is 67.87 or 62.37 for 2 or more. A gallon of canola oil is less than $10. I mixed 32 oz. of Permethrin with the oil, the Fly Ban is a synergized, ready to use.

First pic was on 8/26. The cow on the left was sprayed with Permethrin, the cow on the right, Fly Ban. No difference/no flies. 2nd pic, same date, sprayed with Fly Ban. 3rd pic was today (8/30), same 2 cows as in the first pic. Yup, they're getting some flies, but not covered, still no real difference between the Permethrin/Fly Ban. 4th pic, also today. Both were sprayed with Fly Ban and have considerably more flies. It's always been my experience, some cows are simply prone to attracting more flies, and it doesn't seem to matter what their body condition is. Things that make you go "hmmmmm?"

Keeping in mind, the heat index has been up to 104 and yesterday we finally got rain, so it was a sweltering 84% humidity this morning and flies are always worse when it's humid & rotten hot. Nothing keeps them completely fly-free over 10 days in these conditions. This is the first year in, well, I can't remember, when we haven't had a lot of ticks, so I don't know how effective just the permethrin is against ticks. But, it appears I'm wasting $$$ on expensive, name brand sprays - and even the homemade knock-offs (aforementioned Grit's recipes; 1 quart of PB08 is $51.21).

 

[greybeard]

Is that Martin's StockTox 10%.

It's what I always used on my cattle rubs with pretty good results.

1 gallon of Martin's 10% Permethrin is 67.87 or 62.37 for 2 or more.

I have tried Rabon blocks but was not at all happy with the results.

 

[TCRanch]

Is that Martin's StockTox 10%.

It's what I always used on my cattle rubs with pretty good results.


I have tried Rabon blocks but was not at all happy with the results.

Just multi purpose:

https://www.domyown.com/martins-permethrin-10-p-2124.html?sub_id=2778

 

[greybeard]

I've seen flies lots worse than what is on yours. Looks like it does a good job keeping them off their faces. I think that bothers them more than the ones on their back and sides.
Your cattle sure do look good, as always!!

 

[Brute 23]

I have a Hereford bull in with some Brahmans right now and that poor guy is like the sacrificial lamb. The Brahmans will have a couple flies here and there and he is just covered. Last week he was laying under a shade tree in the pens watching his girls graze so I closed the gate and ran him down the chute to spray him and put fly stuff on him. He looked a lot happier this week when I saw him.

Here our black cattle get flies the worse by far. The reds do a lot better, especially the F1s. The grey/ white Brahmans have the least by far. The more Brahman influence the least flies no matter the color. Bulls are usually always worse than cows.

 

[TCRanch]

I've seen flies lots worse than what is on yours. Looks like it does a good job keeping them off their faces. I think that bothers them more than the ones on their back and sides.
Your cattle sure do look good, as always!!

View attachment 7848

Thank you! I think the flies are worse on these two because they had been hanging out under a tree; that scenario just seems to draw 'em in.

BTW, 28E (Tator Tot) is the 40 lb. preemie/subsequent orphan in my avatar. Couldn't even stand for a couple days, couldn't walk for almost 10 days. No meds, just physical therapy, Vitamin B Complex, time, TLC - and a very understanding mama. She's on her 6th calf and I've kept all her heifers.

 

[TCRanch]

I have a Hereford bull in with some Brahmans right now and that poor guy is like the sacrificial lamb. The Brahmans will have a couple flies here and there and he is just covered. Last week he was laying under a shade tree in the pens watching his girls graze so I closed the gate and ran him down the chute to spray him and put fly stuff on him. He looked a lot happier this week when I saw him.

Here our black cattle get flies the worse by far. The reds do a lot better, especially the F1s. The grey/ white Brahmans have the least by far. The more Brahman influence the least flies no matter the color. Bulls are usually always worse than cows.

I have one red cow - our quintessential red-headed step child, compliments of the neighbors bull. And you're right; she doesn't attract as many flies, but they show up more on her bright red coat.

 

[C-Ranch]

I just came off the range from checking cows and they are covered with flies. TCranch and Greybeard's cattle look great, I need to change up something because ear tags are worthless. Spray is a lot better, but not feasible to round them up every few weeks to spray. I think the heat and drought in our area isn't helping with flies either. I've attached a pic to give you a better idea on how our range is. Not much feed left and need to move soon. As mentioned above, I did notice my red cows had less flies than the black, but still way to many flies.

 

[greybeard]

TCranch and Greybeard's cattle look great

That pic is NOT one of mine.
It's one of TC's pictures that I zoomed in on to better show the number of flies.