The Rural Voice, 1998-10, Page 11Scrap Book
Calf hutches
home for flies
While the fly season may be
just about over for 1998 there
arc steps that farmers who use
calf hutches can do to reduce
the number of house flies and
stable flies produced each year,
says Dr. Jim Quigley.
According to an article in
lloard's Dairyman, examination
of bedding from outdoor calf
pens found an average of 40-70
housefly maggots and 12-30
stable fly maggots per quart.
That translates into 20,000 to
30,000 flies produced per hutch
per year.
However, according to Dr. E.
T. Schmidtmann in the article,
there arc steps that can be taken
to reduce the production of flies.
For one thing, don't use straw.
An article in Journal of Dairy
Science indicated that straw
promoted much greater growth
of both stable flies and house
flies than other bedding
materials.
Researchers suggest that
using sawdust or wood shavings
reduces maggot growth because
it absorbs less liquid and has a
reduced availability of organic
matter. Sand and gravel bedding
tend to become compacted.
Bedded packs tend to
contribute to fly populations so
the hutch should be cleaned out
at least every two weeks.
Adding fresh straw over soiled
bedding will keep the calf
comfortable but will increase
the moisture -holding capacity
and fermentation of the pack.
A prime area for fly and
maggot growth is immediately
beneath feed and water buckets
where spills occur.
Use feed pails Targe enough at
the proper height to prevent
spilling and clean up spills.
Pens should be set on a gently
sloping, well -drained surface. 0
-Source: Ontario Veal
Association News
— 51st BLUE WATER ANGUS SALE —
(Oldest Annual Angus Sale in Canada)
Saturday, October 17, 1998 1:00 p.m.
WAT-CHA SALESPLEX
Mount Forest, Orta.
APPROX. 70 HEAD SELLING
- A Targe number of young bred cows & heifers
selected for good maternal traits and early growth
Several top show heifer prospects
A good selection of unregistered commercial Angus
females as well.
Premiums for black cattle are increasing rapidly.
Now is the time to rebuild your cow herd.
Write or call for catalogue
SALE CHAIRMAN: DON CURRIE
R.R. #1, Nottawa, Ont., LOM 1P0,
Phone/Fax 705-445-1526
SEED & GRAIN
CLEANING SERVICES
It's that time of year
with crops coming off.
Stop in or call for prices on custom seed
cleaning and treating of your own seeds.
Custom grain cleaning for feed
Truck available for pick-up and delivery
Bags, totes and bulk available for both seed and feed orders
Dealer inquiries welcome!
Skid Steer service available, inquire on rates.
BRANT SEEDS
Cty. Rd. 10 N. of Hanover
Phone: 519-364-1525 Fax: 519-364-3835
OCTOBER 1998 7