Stripes Protect Japanese Black Cattle from Pesky Insects
In Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, a three-year experiment revealed that white stripes created with bleach offer protection to Japanese Black cattle from blood-feeding insects. This discovery not only gives the cattle a stylish "zebra look" but also significantly reduces their stress levels and potentially enhances their reproductive power.
The benefits of grazing cattle extend beyond aesthetics. Their grass consumption reduces feed and labor costs for farmers, and they make use of sprawling idle farmland. However, these outdoor animals are vulnerable to blood-feeding insects like gadflies and cattle flies. The pain and itchiness caused by these bites can decrease the animals' reproductive power and even make them sick if the insects carry diseases.
Inspired by a report from Aichi Prefecture showing the positive effect of stripes on black-colored cattle, a Yamagata prefectural government research team conducted experiments from 2021 to 2023 to confirm the effectiveness of stripes on Japanese Black cattle in their region.
Using bleach or white spray, the researchers created 3-4 centimeter wide stripes on the cattle's coats. The results were immediate. The striped cattle exhibited significantly fewer insect-avoidance behaviors like tail wagging, head shaking, and hoof raising compared to their unstriped counterparts. The frequency of these behaviors dropped by 70%, from 16 times per minute to just 5 times per minute.
The bleach stripes lasted for about a month and a half, while the white spray stripes lasted for a week. Regardless of the method, the striped cattle seemed well protected from the pesky insects.
The findings of the experiment and positive reactions from farmers were published in agricultural leaflets. One farmer expressed initial skepticism but was amazed to see the effectiveness of the stripes firsthand. He observed that the striped cattle wagged their tails less frequently than their unstriped counterparts and saw no evidence of the striped cattle being ostracized by the conventional-looking cattle.
This simple yet effective solution offers a promising way to improve the well-being and productivity of Japanese Black cattle while reducing the need for chemical insecticides.