Results of the 1997 Pest And Pesticide Use Assessment For Dairy Cattle Production Systems in West Virginia

Dr. John F. Baniecki
Plant Pathology/Entomology Specialist
WVU Extension Service

M. Essam Dabaan, Ph.D.
NAPIAP Program Specialist
WVU Extension Service

A West Virginia Pesticide Impact Assessment Program special project 97-EPIS-1-0051-WVU-0051-1302 (Subcontract No. USDA-TPSU-WVU-0051-1302), entitled "Pest and Pesticide Use Assessment for Dairy Cattle Production Systems in West Virginia" has been carried out. This study was conducted by Dr. John F. Baniecki, Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology/Entomology and National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program liaison representative at West Virginia University with cooperation of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Statistics Service. The survey was designed to collect information on the usage of pesticides in the management of dairy cattle production systems. A survey questionnaires was adapted from one used by Cornell University. Results provide current data on pesticide use for dairy cattle production systems.

Methodology

All dairy operators in the state were selected from a list maintained by the West Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service. This list was mailed a questionnaire, explanatory letter, and return envelope. The 1^st mailing was sent to 422 operators with 85 responses. The 2^nd mailing was sent out to 300 operators with 35 responses. Five of the respondents stated that they were no longer in the dairy business, 14 respondents owned few cows and milked for their own use and 24 respondents reported no dairy cows.

Results

Reported by respondents of the survey were 1,464 calves, 1,759 heifers, and 3,689 lactating and dry cows with a total herd size of 6,912. There were 58 respondents reporting 25 calves, 54 respondents reporting 33 heifers, and 71 respondents reporting 52 lactating and dry cows

* Milk production averaged 14,309.72 lbs./ cow with a minimum and maximum amount of 730 and 27,000, respectively. There were 60 reports for total annual milk production for an average of 14,309.72 lbs. / yr.

Reported Cattle Pests and Associated Costs

* Sixty-one percent (61%) of the respondents reported that the most difficult to control with available pesticides were flies on pastured cattle. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of those surveyed reported that flies in and around the barn area were the most difficult to control. Lice on cattle were reported to be the most difficult to control by 11% of the surveyed producers. Only 1% or less of the respondents reported cattle grubs or mange, scabies or barn itch on cattle as the most difficult to control.

* Fly Control Costs:

38% of the respondents spent $10-$49 on fly control.
30% of the respondents spent $100-$299
16% of the respondents spent $50-$99
11% of the respondents spent $300-$499
2-4% of the respondents spent $500-$700 or over $700.

* Twenty operators spent a total of $5,233 on nonpesticide methods to prevent or control dairy pests. The average cost was $262 per dairy producer.

Results summary of the reported pesticides for fly control in dairy cattle:

1) on pasture:

Malathion was the most reported pesticide for fly control on cattle on pasture.

40% of those surveyed used Malathion.
1-5% used other pesticides (Ectiban, Ciodrin, Vapona, Atroban, Permectrin).
46% did not use animal sprays for fly control on cattle on pasture.

Backrubbers

1-3% used Methoxychlor, Ectiban, Permectrin, Malathion, and Co-ral for backrubber application for fly control on cattle on pasture.
36% used nonspecified pesticides for backrubber application.
54% of those reporting did not use backrubbers.

Ciodrin, Vapona, and Ciovap were not reported.

Ear tags

1% of the respondents used Atroban, Permethrin or Ectriban.
4% of the producers surveyed used nonspecific pesticide-treated ear tags.
10% of the respondents used Ectrin.
83% of the surveyed producers did not use ear tags.

Dust bags

3-4% of the respondents used Ciodrin and/or Rabon.
93% of those surveyed did not use pesticide treated dust bags.

Although Permectrin was listed, it was not used.

Larvicides

6% of the respondents used Rabon oral larvicide.
94% of those surveyed did not use oral formulations.

Although Vigilante was listed, it was not used.

2) in the barn

Space sprays applied with mist blower and/or fogger for fly control in the barn were reported.

16% reported Permectrin usage.
9% reported usage of Pyrethrins plus Synergist.
6% reported usage of Vapona.
4% reported usage of Ectiban.
1% reported usage of Atroban or Ciovap.
56 % of the respondents reported that they had not applied space sprays for fly control in the barn.

Of those respondents applying baits for fly control in the barn area,

21% used Golden Malrin
3% used Apache
1.5% used nonspecified baits
75% of those surveyed did not treat manure for fly control.

Larvicides

3% of the repondents used Rabon, Oral Larvicide.
97% of those surveyed did not use pesticides for fly control in the barn area.

Treated Manure

6% reported treated manure (larviciding) for fly control in the barn area.
88% of those surveyed did not treat manure for fly control.
6% reported other methods

3) in the milk room.

Pyrethrin plus Synergist was the only pesticide used for fly control in the milk room.

29% of the respondents reported use of Pyrethrin plus Synergist.
8% of the respondents did not specify pesticides used.
63% of those surveyed did not use fly control in the milk room.

Other Dairy Pests and Pesticides Reported:

Sprays or Pour-Ons for Louse and Mite Control

2-3% of surveyed producers reported usage of Co-Ral or vapona or ciodrin or pyrenone or atroban for use as animal sprays or pour-ons for louse or mite control.
6% of those surveyed reported usage of Ectiban or Permectrin.
14% used nonspecified pesticides.
64% of the respondents did not use animal sprays or pour-ons for louse or mite control.

Dusts for Louse or Mite Control

12% of those surveyed used Co-Ral.
4% of the surveyed producers used Permectrin.
6% of the respondents used non specific pesticides.
77% did not report usage of dusts for louse or mite control.

Although listed, Ciodrin or Rabon were not reported.

Frequency, Types, and Methods of Dairy Cattle Treatments

On average, most producers treat flies on pastured cattle in and around the barn area and in the milking parlor two to three times a month. Cattle grubs, lice, and other lice were treated on an average of once a season. Mange, eye gnats, and ticks were, on average, rarely treated.

Types of Pesticides Application

21% used animal sprays as the pesticide application method.
18% reported hand dusting.
7% reported fogging/misting in the barn.
8% reported fly larvicides.
8% reported dust bags.
8% reported backrubbers.
9% reported residual sprays in the barn.
9% reported fly baits.
11% reported ear tags.

Methods of Application

83% of the responding dairy producers apply their own pesticides.
3% use a custom applicator.
14% apply pesticides and use a custom applicator.

Project Utilization:

Results of this project contribute to the maintenance of a pesticide use database for dairy in West Virginia, which is beneficial at the federal level for pesticide assessment support. These results also provide information on pesticide usage, which may be needed by West Virginia producers to maintain use of particular pesticides. Pesticide use data are also useful to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture for regulation of pesticides. Results of this and other surveys provide information on pesticide use trends in West Virginia, which will help county extension agents address pesticide use issues. We believe this report provides valuable information on current dairy pest management practices. Such information will help support and develop integrated pest management practices in West Virginia. A publication is forthcoming, and copies will be distributed to county extension agents, extension specialists, university researchers, state NAPIAP liaison representatives and those interested.

* Special Appreciation is expressed to the following:

The dairy operators who participated in this project.

A. Greg Stamm, Statistician and David S. Abbe of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) who assisted in providing the survey analysis, editing and tabular summary.

Dr. Mark P. Culik, program specialist, for his assistance in developing the survey document, making necessary contacts with chemical manufacturers and preparing educational materials for distribution to county Extension agents, Extension specialists and dairy producers.

Select county Extension agents and Dr. Sam Barringer, Extension specialist, veterinary science, for reviewing the educational materials and survey document and assisting in answering questions from dairy producers.

Eric Harrington, Extension support specialist, Cornell Pesticide Management Education Program, for his assistance in providing support and guidance in developing the survey document.

Megan Crowell, offfice assistant, and Diana Krishan, project assistant, who helped gather the necessary pesticide use data.