Subject: - Backrubbers
Buffalo fly infestation,
if left untreated, will cost you money in lost cattle growth due to
the animal constantly irritated by the fly and neglecting normal grazing
habit. At some times of the year this problem is of great concern to
the grazier or stud breeder and has to be treated. Historically sprays
have been used with good effect, but the most effective ones were DDT
based and since its removal from the market no product has been as effective
and the period of control is reduced to a few days from spraying. Some
dips have buffalo fly control but have the same problem as the sprays.
Ear tags have been trialed but obviously this is a labour intensive
method of treatment.
Backrubbers
appear to date back some ten years or so with the probability that the
practice of soaking a material suspended over a cattle path has been
in use even longer. Today there are still graziers who make use of makeshift
designs with the probability of various degree of success. It
is likely that all users of this technique could benefit by the use
of a commercially produced design with consistant and predictable application
results.
Two kinds of backrubber
are currently available having either automatic or manual feed of the
oil/insecticide mixture. For a small herd the manual type may well be
suitable, while the automatic type would allow a degree of unattended
operation. Given the access that the cattle have to the backrubber,
this method is gaining popularity. Insecticide doses can be much smaller
with the actual problem directly targetted.
Cattle appear to
quickly learn to use a backrubber as it provides welcome relief from the
fly. In some cases the rubber would be installed over a path on the
way to water or a camping area. Some users suggest that around a feed
area is ideal.
