Fly resistance is a heritable trait, say researchers. It’s often overlooked. Researchers continue to identify specific genes, but in the meantime selecting for bulls and cows that carry fewer flies can work.
Source: Beef Magazine, February 25, 2016.
Today, cattle breeding and selection focuses on many things, but heritability of fly resistance is often overlooked. “All the animal breeders I’ve worked with state that horn fly resistance is a heritable trait in the bull that is expressed in his female offspring. If you keep replacement heifers, keep them from a bull that has as much fly resistance as you can get,” suggests Dayton Steelman, emeritus professor of veterinary entomology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.
INSIGHTS – Fly treatment season is starting. This article will make a good conversation starter when talking about fly treatment and prevention with producers for DVMS and sales reps.