Cattle Producers Are Battling Flies And Ticks This Summer

Fly and tick populations have increased, which means cattle producers are fighting an uphill battle this summer with these blood-sucking pests. The cattle industry suffers $1.3 billion in losses annually from horn flies alone. They are considered the No. 1 external parasite for cattle across the country. Justin Talley, Oklahoma State University professor and Extension specialist for livestock entomology, said horn flies and lone star ticks have ramped up this summer and are likely to get worse in July and August.