Stripes Protect Japanese Black Cattle from Insects
In Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, a three-year experiment has shown that stripes created with bleach offer protection to Japanese Black cattle from blood-feeding insects. This finding has significant implications for farmers, as it can reduce stress levels in cattle and potentially enhance their reproductive power.
Black-haired beef cattle grazing in fields offer several benefits to farmers. Their grass consumption reduces feed and labor costs, and they utilize idle farmland. However, these cattle are vulnerable to blood-feeding insects like gadflies and cattle flies, which can cause pain, itchiness, and stress, leading to decreased reproductive power and potential illness from disease-carrying bites.
A previous report from Aichi Prefecture demonstrated the effectiveness of stripes in keeping flies away from black-colored cattle. Building on this, 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 cm wide stripes on the cattle's coats. The results were immediate and significant. Cattle without stripes exhibited insect-avoidance behaviors like tail wagging, head shaking, and hoof raising 16 times per minute. In contrast, striped cattle of the same breed displayed these behaviors only 5 times per minute, a 70% reduction.
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 appeared well protected from insects.
The findings of the experiment and positive reactions from farmers were published in agricultural leaflets. One farmer remarked, "I was initially skeptical but stunned to see with my own eyes that stripes on cattle could keep away insects. It was plain to see they wagged their tails less frequently than their ordinary peers."
This innovative approach offers a simple and effective way to improve the well-being and productivity of Japanese Black cattle, benefiting both farmers and animals.