Natural Insecticides for Dairy Farms: How Pest Control Impacts Milk Production and Profitability
Why Sustainable Fly Control Is a Performance Strategy, Not Just a Convenience
Peggy Coffeen sat down with Dr. Mike Catangui, entomologist and parasitologist with MWI Animal Health, to discuss one of dairy production’s most persistent challenges: pest pressure. From fly stress to parasite load, insect control directly impacts milk production, animal comfort, and long-term profitability.
The conversation makes one thing clear. Pest control is not a side task. It is a production strategy.
Fly Pressure Reduces Milk Production
During peak fly season, pests can reduce milk production by 10–20%.
That loss is not theoretical. It shows up in the tank.
Stable flies and other biting insects disrupt feeding behavior, increase stress hormones, and divert energy away from milk production. The result is reduced intake, lower efficiency, and measurable production decline.
Effective pest management is not cosmetic. It protects performance.
Natural Insecticides Are Gaining Ground
Dr. Catangui explains that natural insecticides are not new innovations. Many have been used for centuries. What is new is the renewed focus on them in modern dairy systems.
Natural insecticides are derived from plant compounds, soil bacteria, or mineral sources rather than laboratory-synthesized chemicals.
Examples include:
Pyrethrum, derived from chrysanthemum flowers
Spinosad, derived from soil bacteria
Diatomaceous earth, sourced from mineral deposits
These options provide broad-spectrum pest control while reducing reliance on synthetic chemistry.
Why Producers Are Reconsidering Pest Strategies
Dairy producers are turning to natural insecticides for several practical reasons.
First, milk is directly tied to consumer health perception. Minimizing synthetic residues supports both compliance and market trust.
Second, resistance management is becoming more critical. Overuse of synthetic insecticides can accelerate resistance development. Many natural products offer different modes of action that help preserve long-term effectiveness.
Third, sustainability expectations continue to rise. Consumers increasingly expect production practices that align with environmental responsibility.
Natural insecticides provide a strategy that supports all three priorities.
Practical Application on Dairy Farms
These solutions are not limited to theory or niche operations.
Natural insecticides can often be applied directly to lactating cows, heifers, and calves, providing flexibility in integrated pest management programs.
Improved animal comfort leads to:
Better feed intake
Stronger weight gain in young stock
Higher milk production in lactating cows
The economic return reinforces the decision. Dr. Catangui notes that producers can see significant return on investment from effective fly control — often multiple dollars in milk revenue for every dollar spent.
The Bigger Picture: Cow Comfort Drives Performance
At its core, pest management is about comfort.
When animals are irritated, stressed, or constantly fighting flies, they cannot perform at their genetic potential.
Natural insecticides offer producers another tool — one that balances efficacy, safety, and sustainability — in protecting herd health and profitability.
Fly control is not an expense line to trim.
It is a lever that moves production.
To hear the full conversation with Dr. Mike Catangui, tune in to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.
To hear the complete discussion with Elaine Froese, stream now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.
