According to a recent experiment conducted by the Yamagata prefectural government, white stripes created with bleach on black-haired Japanese Black cattle offer protection against blood-feeding insects, such as gadflies and cattle flies. The experiment, which was carried out over three years in Yamagata Prefecture, revealed that these stripes not only provided a fashionable look to the cattle but also helped in reducing their stress levels, potentially improving their reproductive capabilities.
Grazing beef cattle, particularly the Japanese Black breed, provide various advantages for farmers, including cost reductions for feed and labor, and the utilization of idle farmland. However, outdoor cattle are prone to blood-feeding insects, which can cause significant stress and discomfort to the animals. The pain and itchiness from insect bites can affect the reproductive power of the cattle and even make them susceptible to diseases carried by insects.
The research team from the Yamagata prefectural government implemented experiments from 2021 to 2023, where stripes measuring 3-4 centimeters wide were created on the cattle's coats using bleach or white spray. The immediate impact was observed, with a significant reduction in movements associated with insect repellent behavior, such as tail-wagging and head-shaking. Farmers who participated in the experiment noted positive results and expressed surprise at the effectiveness of the striped patterns in keeping insects at bay.
The striped cattle showed a visible decrease in insect-repelling movements, while the stripes created with bleach lasted around one and a half months, offering sustainable protection. Farmers who were initially skeptical about the method were impressed by the results, noting that the cattle appeared healthier and less stressed with the striped patterns. Additionally, concerns about social ostracization of cattle with zebra-like stripes proved unfounded, as conventional-looking cattle did not show any discriminatory behavior towards their striped counterparts.