4 minute read
External Parasites: Why you need a Lewis Oiler
by Gena McPhail
Every spring and summer, our thoughts turn from calving to the breeding season, green grass, rainy days and warmer temperatures. However, with the green grass and warmer temps come disadvantages — fly season is upon us! If you haven't already started planning your fly control program for this year, you're already behind the curve. Flies are not only a nuisance for humans, but even greater for livestock. Flies can spread disease, from anaplasmosis to pinkeye, and are responsible for a tremendous amount of lost production in the form of decreased weight gain or lower milk yields. Rather than eating, cattle will spend time stomping and tail swishing, lying down, and standing in groups or in the middle of a stock pond. It doesn’t take a large number of flies to have an effect on your cattle’s production. As few as 100 to 200 flies per side is enough to impact calf or stocker gains by 25 to 50 pounds during the summer. This is greater than or comparable to the weight gain achieved through a growth implant program. If you can see more than a hand-sized patch of flies on each side — typically behind the shoulders of your cattle — there are enough there to be a problem.
William (Mike) Pfaff, of Gambier, OH is one of the many success stories in the back pocket of Lewis Cattle Oilers. Mike has been a cattleman/rancher his entire life and his experience is built on generations of ranching and farming. Lice, as well as other parasite related issues, were plaguing his herd season after season. Through many trial and error attempts, Mike landed on the one solution with the most positive impact...the Lewis Cattle Oiler. As a skeptical cattleman, Mike had reservations on just how effective the oiler really could be for his bottom line.
Weighing the numbers and margins, Mike took the gamble and purchased one oiler just to see for himself if the advantages really would outweigh the cost and be a solution to his continual problems. Mike also loved the fact that Lewis Cattle Oilers are made in the USA. That fact immediately had a positive impact in the purchase of the Lewis Cattle Oiler over other options. He had previously purchased similar products and machines and just hadn't been happy with the results. The easy maintenance and mobility were certainly one of the attractive points of his purchase, and the reduction of product waste was certainly appealing to his wallet! Mike said, "With the oiler being cow powered, that really frees up my time of previously spraying, etc. I really liked that aspect, as long as it works! And it did! After my first summer of using the oiler, it had me sold to buy a second one!" Mike also stated that "The oilers are built solid enough to handle all cattle in any situation." After a few years of continual seasonal use under his belt and zero cases of pink eye, Mike was a firm believer of the effectiveness and value of the Lewis Cattle Oilers. Mike was sold on the product and the health of his herd showed him proof of the effectiveness. Due to the success of the overall improved health of his cattle, Mike has since become a local representative and dealer for Lewis Cattle Oilers!
For more information, please contact: Lewis Cattle Oilers 888-256-5544/620-408-6387 WWW.USALEWISCATTLEOILERS.COM facebook.com/cattleoilersMBEnterprise September 2022
Reduce spread of disease & infestation Eliminates man power Increase daily rate of gain Reduce costly stress of cattle
No product waste Improve overall health on cows and calves Saves pressure on fences
CAPITALIZE ON CAPITALIZE ON YOUR INVESTMENT YOUR INVESTMENT BY PROTECTING BY PROTECTING YOUR HERD FROM YOUR HERD FROM EXTERNAL EXTERNAL PARASITES PARASITES ALL YEAR ALL YEAR LONG!LONG!
"My favorite thing is I haven't treated a single cow for pink eye and it is very well built. We bought three and I think we are going to buy three more because we are very happy with the simplicity and effectiveness" -Gabe Ramsey, Falls City NE
