Steve Kenyon believes in the value of insects, even those that bother cattle.
The custom grazier from Busby, Alta., who manages cattle on about 3,000 acres, tells the owners not to treat their animals with ivermectin before bringing them to his pastures.
“The first remedy for parasites is management and genetics,” he told a grazing workshop in Lethbridge Jan. 25.
Kenyon believes ivermectin leaves residue in cattle manure that damages worms, insects and dung beetles that would otherwise decompose manure and return its nutrients to the soil.
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He treats internal parasites with apple cider vinegar in the water source and lice with another home remedy.
“Once (the cattle are) on my operation and going through the system, I don’t have to use any chemicals because through the management, we’re dealing with parasites. I’m not saying they don’t have any parasites, but it never gets out of control.”
Kenyon said cowbirds have returned to his ranch since he stopped using chemicals to control cattle parasites, and there is a wider variety of insect life.
