Y-Tex insecticide tag rotation program helps local producers
Local Cody resident Norm Hayes was known as an avid inventor in the livestock industry, holding numerous patents, including ear tags for livestock.
In 1967, Hayes, along with partners from Texas, founded Y-Tex, a name which reflects a compromise to keep the company based in Wyoming.
Initially, manufacturing was outsourced, but within a few years, production moved to Cody, where it has remained, adding to the uniqueness of the agricultural company.
Over the years, as the business has expanded, it has changed hands.
However, Glenn Nielson currently serves as company president and is dedicated to the organization’s mission, which is deeply rooted in the livestock industry and committed to providing high-quality products with real value.
Y-Tex products are designed to meet customer needs, and their insecticide ear tags have been developed to help manage troublesome insect populations effectively over the years.
Insecticide ear tags
Insecticide ear tags can be an essential part of any livestock program when certain pest species become unbearable for animals on pasture.
However, there’s more at play than simply sticking a tag in an ear and walking away. Producers should be strategic about how they utilize ear tags over time to get the most out of their investment.
An insecticidal ear tag is made from molded PVC and contains a slow-release insecticide to kill flies through direct contact.
Tags are attached to the animal’s ear the same way identification tags do, and after attachment, the insecticide begins releasing small volumes every day for the next three to four months.
The active ingredient in each tag is transferred to the animal through hair follicles during natural grooming efforts, but because of the slow-release process, the chemicals do not get absorbed into meat or milk products.
Y-Tex says studies have found a lethal dose of insecticide on hind leg hair clippings three days after tagging.
This means the chemical traveled from the back of the ear to the back leg in just three days with a strong enough dose to be effective against pests.
Suppose targeted pests have been exposed to a sub-lethal dose of insecticide. In this case, they can develop a resistance to a particular chemical group and develop resistance if they get the same chemical repeatedly.
Resistance can develop rapidly, depending on the kind of fly and how quickly they reproduce, continuing through generations as more pests are exposed to the chemical.
Y-Tex rotation plan
Y-Tex is a global leader in ectoparasite control for cattle and has been providing effective animal management solutions for livestock producers for more than 55 years.
In this time, 200-plus product trials have been conducted on insecticide ear tags alone, and Y-Tex is the only manufacturer who offers producers a four-year chemical rotation of insecticide tags.
Y-Tex suggests utilizing this chemical rotation strategy to help prevent insecticide resistance, because when fly populations are not exposed to certain chemicals for two to three years, they’re not as likely to build up resistance.
This is why a four-year insecticidal ear tag rotation is worth implementing into any fly control program.
Y-Tex suggests using the Tri-Zap tag during year one, which utilizes a unique combination of zetacypermethrin, abamectin and piperonyl butoxide. These three active ingredients control horn and face flies, lice and spinose ear ticks.
The Tri-Zap ear tag can be used on beef and dairy cattle, including calves and lactating dairy cows.
In year two, Y-Tex suggests choosing either MAX40 or Optimizer ear tags, as both have a different active ingredient than the previous year.
This time, organophosphate helps control targeted pests for up to five months, and the patented Snap-Lok collar prevents tag or button failure for up to five months.
Max40 ear tags can be used on beef and non-lactating dairy cattle to control horn flies, including pyrethroid-resistant populations, Gulf Coast ticks, spinose ear ticks and lice and to aid in controlling face, stable and house flies.
However, Optimizer ear tags can control horn flies, including pyrethroid-resistant populations, lice, Gulf Coast ticks and spinose ear ticks and to aid in controlling face flies on beef and non-lactating dairy cattle.
Max40 can be used in the winter to control biting or little blue cattle lice and to aid in the control of long-nosed and short-nosed cattle lice.
In year three, Y-Tex suggests controlling horn and face flies, lice and ticks with either the PYthon II or the best-selling PYthon II MagnuM ear tags.
Both of these are approved for lactating dairy cows, and there’s no withdrawal time required.
PYthon II MagnuM provides repellent activity against horn flies resistant to some other insecticides for up to four months and biting lice for up to three months.
This tag also aids in the control of face flies, stable flies, house flies and sucking lice for up to three months.
For the last step in the rotation, Y-Tex suggests using XP 820 ear tags which contain the active ingredient macrocyclic lactone, where several independent studies have shown the tag improves the average calf’s weight gain compared to untreated animals.
XP 820 can be used on beef and dairy cattle, including calves and lactating dairy cows and controls horn flies, including pyrethroid- and organophosphate-resistant populations, Gulf Coast ticks and spinose ear ticks, while aiding the control of American dog ticks, cattle fever ticks, Lone Star ticks and face flies.
With the most innovative insecticide tag formulations in many different chemical classes, Y-Tex offers producers the choice for a combination of active ingredients to fit their specific needs and budget.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
