## Stripes Protect Japanese Black Cattle from Biting 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 has significant implications for farmers, as it can improve the well-being and productivity of their cattle.
Stripes Reduce Stress and Enhance Reproductive Power
Grazing cattle provide numerous benefits to farmers, including reduced feed and labor costs and utilization of idle farmland. However, these animals are vulnerable to biting insects, which can cause stress, decrease reproductive power, and even transmit diseases.
A previous study in Aichi Prefecture demonstrated the effectiveness of stripes in deterring flies from black-colored cattle. Building on this research, a Yamagata prefectural government team conducted experiments from 2021 to 2023 to confirm the stripes' efficacy on Japanese Black cattle in their region.
Stripes Offer Immediate Relief
Researchers applied 3-4 cm wide stripes to the cattle's coats using bleach or white spray. The results were immediate and significant. Cattle without stripes exhibited behaviors like tail wagging, head shaking, and hoof raising to ward off insects 16 times per minute. In contrast, striped cattle displayed these behaviors only 5 times per minute, a 70% reduction.
The stripes, whether created with bleach or spray, provided effective protection from gadflies and cattle flies for approximately a month and a week, respectively.
Positive Reactions from Farmers
The experiment's findings and farmers' reactions were documented in agricultural leaflets. One farmer expressed initial skepticism but was astonished by the stripes' effectiveness in repelling insects. He observed a noticeable decrease in tail wagging among striped cattle compared to their unstriped counterparts.
Furthermore, the farmer reported no instances of ostracized striped cattle, alleviating concerns about social acceptance within the herd.
This research demonstrates the potential of stripes as a simple and effective method to improve the welfare and productivity of Japanese Black cattle, benefiting both farmers and animals.