Description
Fly tags for season-long control of nuisance and biting flies in cattle.
For maximum benefit they should be applied at the beginning of the season before fly populations build up. For complete control the entire herd should be tagged.
One tag per animal is usually sufficient to achieve acceptable levels of fly control. However, where head and face fly attack is very severe, two tags may be necessary, one on each ear.
Dosage & Administration
Flectron eartags should be attached to the ear as follows:
- Load stud and tag into the applicator.
- Always dip the loaded applicator into disinfectant solution before each application. Any skin compatible disinfectant may be used. This assists application, helps prevent spread of infection, aids hygiene and promotes healing.
- Restrain the animal, preferably in a crush, so that the ear can be reached easily.
- Position the point of the fixing stud in a central position between the blood vessels in an area of firm tissue halfway between the head and the tip of the ear. A position between the second and third rib of the ear is ideal. Thick sections of the ear should be avoided.
- Depress the applicator until a click is heard. This means the tag and the fixing are firmly secured.
- After fixing, pull the stud and tag firmly apart as far as possible. A correctly fixed tag will hold firm. Do not push the tag and stud back together, as this can lead to compression of the ear tissue. The two should swing freely in the ear.
- If tag is lost during the season it is usually because of poor application.
- Flectron ear tags will remain flexible and active for a season.
Tags should be removed at the end of each fly season and before cattle go for slaughter.
- The neck of the stud behind the ear can be cut with round-nosed scissors.
- The new tag can be applied through the hole left by the previous one the following season.
Withdrawals
Meat: Zero days
Milk: Zero hours
Tags should be removed before cattle leave the farm for slaughter.
