According to a recent three-year experiment conducted by the Okitama branch of the Yamagata prefectural government, white stripes made with bleach not only gave the Japanese Black beef cattle a unique "zebra look" but also served a functional purpose by helping to keep biting insects at bay. These stripes, created with bleach or white spray, were shown to significantly reduce stress levels in the cattle, leading to potential benefits in terms of reproductive power and overall health.
The cattle, which graze in fields, not only benefit farmers by reducing feed and labor costs through grass consumption but also contribute to utilizing otherwise unused farmland. However, outdoor cattle are susceptible to blood-feeding insects like gadflies and cattle flies, which can cause pain, itchiness, and even spread diseases. The stress caused by these insects can have a negative impact on the animals' reproductive abilities and overall well-being.
The experiment conducted in Yamagata Prefecture from 2021 to 2023 focused on the Japanese Black breed, similar to a previous study in Aichi Prefecture that showed positive results with striped black-colored cattle. The researchers observed a significant decrease in insect-related behaviors in the Japanese Black cattle with artificial stripes, indicating that the stripes effectively deterred blood-feeding insects. Farmers who participated in the experiment noted the noticeable reduction in tail wagging and head shaking among the striped cattle compared to their non-striped counterparts.
The outcome of the experiment was detailed in agricultural leaflets, where farmers expressed surprise and satisfaction at the effectiveness of the stripes in keeping insects away from their cattle. Despite initial skepticism, farmers were impressed by the visible behavioral changes in the striped cattle and reported no negative interactions or ostracization of the cattle with stripes resembling zebras. The use of bleach stripes as a natural insect repellent not only benefits the cattle's well-being but also offers a practical solution for farmers looking to protect their livestock from blood-feeding insects while grazing in fields.