Flies are more than just an annoyance for calves in warm weather. High fly populations also can spread diseases among calves; cause stress and reduced immunity; and negatively impact growth and weight gain.
New Zealand said on Monday a fourth dairy farm has been hit by a bacterial cattle disease that can seriously affect animal health but was becoming confident that the outbreak has been contained.
New Zealand is working on being the first country to rid itself of Mycoplasma bovis by killing up to 100,000 cows from its herd of 6.5 million dairy cattle and 3.5 million beef cattle.