FRESNO, Calif., April 16, 2026 — Dairy producers now have a powerful new way to stay ahead of rising fly pressure. Specialty Herd Solutions has launched a custom fly pressure forecasting tool designed to help cattle producers assess their fly control practices as fly activity changes within their exact zip code — enabling them to take action before flies begin impacting herd health, comfort, and productivity. The tool is available on our ShieldStrong Solutions page.
“It is important to start implementing fly control measures well ahead of emergence. Timing can vary by region and year to year,” said Matt Nelson, CEO of Specialty Herd Solutions. “With this new tool, producers can look up to 30 days ahead to determine if their current fly control measures are supporting their herd health and comfort throughout fly season.”
Biting flies significantly increase animal stress and disrupt normal feeding and resting behaviors, which slows weight gain and reduces milk yields. Milk production losses from stable flies alone can reach 15 to 30 percent, depending on fly populations, facility type, and management practices. Flies also contribute to disease challenges — particularly mastitis and pinkeye.1,2
Recent scientific findings continue to reinforce these impacts. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that dairy cows exposed to high fly pressure performed dramatically more stress‑related behaviors — including tail switching, skin twitching, and foot stomping — compared with cows under low fly loads. The study also reported that fly irritation disrupted cows during feeding and milking, contributing to reduced productivity. Notably, lame cows showed far fewer defensive movements, suggesting they may be more vulnerable to fly‑related irritation and secondary health issues. Researchers concluded that proactive fly management is essential for maintaining cow comfort, immune resilience, and consistent milk production.
Veterinarians are echoing these concerns. “Now is the time for producers to focus on prevention. Once flies emerge, they are harder to get a handle on and have a significant impact on health and productivity,” said Dr. Brian Voortman, DVM with Herd Health, PLLC. “This new tool allows producers to check their fly pressure risk while it can still be low and preventive measures can be put into action to be more effective.”
Specialty Herd Solutions partnered with fly control experts and developers to create this unique forecasting tool, designed to generate customized predictions for individual farms. The tool incorporates:
- Eight years of historical climate data by zip code from the Applied Climate Information Service
- Current and future weather forecasts by zip code from the National Weather Service
- Current dairy management practices
Producers receive a 30‑day estimate of expected fly pressure along with recommendations for control measures based on the forecast. The tool is completely free to use and requires no email, no account creation, and no personal information of any kind — producers can access their forecast instantly with zero strings attached.
“When we see animals bunched up, producers are already in a reactive position,” Nelson said. “The only way to achieve meaningful fly control is to stay ahead of the pressure. That’s why we’re offering this tool completely free — because the best way to protect cows is to help producers act early, and better animal care is at the core of our mission.”
Dairy managers can access the free forecast tool today at Specialtyherdsolutions.com/Shieldstrong and begin planning their fly control strategy before pressure peaks.
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About Specialty Herd Solutions
Specialty Herd Solutions is a leading provider of automated and modern hoof bath systems, hoof care treatment solutions, and automated fly control systems in the United States. It is committed to producing innovative products that help dairy farmers improve milking, safety, and revenue. Learn more at specialtyherdsolutions.com.
Media Contact:
Laura Pires
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