Novel Feed Additives – Garlic for Fly Prevention

Summer is well and truly underway, bringing with it an exponential increase in the biting insect population. External parasites are an ongoing issue for livestock and humans alike, with recent rainfall events having provided the perfect breeding ground for mozzies, and continued warm, humid weather favouring both buffalo and nuisance flies.

It is well documented that external parasites cost Australia’s livestock industries millions. MLA reported that in 2022, the cost of buffalo fly to beef producers was over $110 million in production losses, and close to $60 million in preventatives. Livestock are known to exhibit ‘fly worry’ when burdens are particularly bad, and therefore reduce their feed intake, leading to reduced production. Biting insects are also vectors for common diseases such as 3-Day in cattle, and are a very worrying factor for bringing in Lumpy Skin Disease to Northern Australia.

Over the last few years, there have been noted increases in the resistance of traditional chemicals and insecticides, prompting new and novel alternatives to be researched and developed. Non-chemical options are gaining popularity as consumer focus shifts towards natural and sustainable production systems, and can remove the extended withholding periods (WHP) and export slaughter intervals (ESI) that some chemical treatments involve.

Many of the currently available treatments still require livestock to be run through the yards for physical application. For many enterprises, this can be time consuming, and costly in labour, as well as adding unnecessary stress on livestock when they are already challenged with increased heat loading. Some methods utilise lick feeders, such as Top Country’s Dual Chains system, where back-rubbers are set up close to feeding stations, and animals self-apply. However, getting an exact dose or ensuring all animals use the rubber can be a limitation.                                                                                                       

Utilising in-feed additives is fast becoming a popular way to combat the issue of external parasites. Renowned for its ability to ward off vampires, garlic is also now being found to have a positive effect on repelling flies and other biting insects in livestock.

Garlic contains Alliin, which when crushed or chopped, converts to Allicin. Allicin is then metabolised in the animal and emitted through the skin and breath, repelling insects. Inorganic yellow sulphur works in a similar way, however, has a lower bioavailability in comparison to garlic, and can have antagonistic effects on other minerals and cause toxicity when fed at a high rate.

Garlic in the form of powder, oil or granules is considered to be quite palatable, and is readily accepted by livestock. Garlic granules only require a low inclusion rate to be effective, with the recommended intakes listed below;

• Cattle: 0.5g – 1g per head per day
• Sheep/Goats: 0.1g per head per day
• Horses: up to 2g per head per day

Combining garlic into your normal supplement program can therefore reduce workload, and gives producers a relatively hands-free approach to parasite control.

Garlic also has a range of other studied benefits in ruminants, such as;

• Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cancer-preventative properties.
• Increases feed digestibility and feed conversion efficiency, leading to increased growth performance.
• Reducing intestinal worm burdens, with lower faecal egg counts observed.
• Reduction in methane production.
• Improvements in milk production and quality.
• Potential to improve meat quality.

Top Country is excited to have garlic granules on-site, and ready to go! Please give our friendly team a call on (07) 4622 8330 to have a chat or enquire here for more information on how garlic can be added into your supplement program this summer!

Top Country acknowledges that whilst garlic has very promising results on repelling biting insects, when burdens are particularly bad, other control measures should be used in conjunction to achieve best results.

Disclaimer: All animal stockfeed should be fed as part of a nutritious, balanced diet to match the livestock’s specific requirements. Ensure that animals always have plenty of fresh, clean water available for drinking. Top Country makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the suitability of any of the products supplied to the specific requirements of your livestock. It is recommended that you consult your ruminant nutritionist before making any major dietary changes. This product does not contain restricted animal material.