Extension - Large Animals and Poultry Pest Management
PI(s): Youngman, Roger R, Day, Eric R
Investigators:
Abstract: The 2005 cash receipts for all livestock, poultry, and associated products (e.g., milk and eggs) totaled more than $2.52 billion for Virginia producers (2006 Va. Agric. Statistics Bull.). More specifically, the combined cash receipts for cattle and calves, broilers, turkeys, hogs, and sheep and lambs totaled $2.16 billion for 2005. The major insect pests of all Virginia animal production operations are biting flies, lice, and nuisance flies associated with improper waste management.
Description: Program Outcomes: The focus of this program has been to provide large animal and poultry producers with timely information on pest control recommendations and important changes in pesticide registrations. Information on diagnosis and treatment of nuisance flies and ectoparasites of large animals and poultry in Virginia is provided to extension agents, agribusiness professionals, and producers through phone contacts, producer meetings, and printed media. I revise and update the “Livestock” section of the Pest Management Guide for Field Crops annually (VCE publication no. 456-016). This publication is a primary source of pest management information for anyone associated with large animal and poultry production in Virginia. In addition, I am lead author of the recently revised Category 1B training manual for commercial pest control applicators entitled, Agricultural Animal Pest Control: A guide for Livestock Managers in Virginia. A recent example of putting information to work concerns an outbreak of stable and house flies in several southwestern Virginia dairy operations in 2004. These flies were seriously impacting milk production. Area Dairy Specialist, Susan Puffenbarger, and I agreed to offer a summer production meeting for all dairy producers affected by the outbreak. Meeting topics covered stable and house fly biology, pest control, and insecticide resistance management strategies. Producers were encouraged to share their current fly pest management practices with the group. The impact of this meeting was that approximately 90% of the producers in attendance adopted a more aggressive approach to fly control through better rotation of insecticide active ingredients. Producers reported improved stable and house fly management as a result of their actions, in addition to being receptive to exploring other fly management options in future meetings.
Commodities: Beef Cattle, Dairy
Resources: Department Shop, Entomology Laboratory - Southern Piedmont AREC, Insect Identification Laboratory, Insecticide Storage Building, Price Hall, State-Owned Vehicles, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs
Disciplines: Integrated Pest Management
Audiences: Agribusiness, Commodity Groups, Extension Agents, Local Governments, Producers, Researchers
