Combating Summer Pests: Effective Livestock Management with Linn Post & Pipe
As the summer sun blazes across the Great Plains, it brings with it more than just long days and green pastures. For cattle producers, summer signals the peak season for flies, parasites, and diseases that can take a serious toll on herd health and productivity. When left unmanaged, pests like horn flies, stable flies, and face flies can cause irritation, reduce weight gain, and spread diseases such as pinkeye and anaplasmosis. To protect their livestock and preserve profitability, ranchers must take proactive measures, and it all starts with efficient, low-stress cattle handling.
At Linn Post & Pipe, we understand the challenges ranchers face during the summer months. With over 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing livestock equipment, we’ve built our reputation on helping producers keep their herds healthy and their operations running smoothly. Our line of handling equipment, including Pearson squeeze chutes, adjustable alleyways, and crowding tubs, is built to stand up to the rigors of summer and deliver year-round performance.
Why Summer Pest Control Is Critical
August is one of the most active months for fly populations. Horn flies alone can number in the thousands on a single animal, biting up to 30 times a day and causing immense stress. This constant irritation leads to reduced grazing time, weight loss, and even open wounds that can become infected. Stable flies are just as harmful, attacking the legs and belly, while face flies contribute to the spread of pinkeye, an especially painful and contagious disease that thrives in dusty, fly-heavy conditions.
Meanwhile, bloodborne diseases like anaplasmosis, transmitted by biting insects and contaminated needles, can weaken or even kill adult cattle. That’s why summer pest control isn’t just about comfort. It’s about safeguarding herd health, preventing costly outbreaks, and maintaining steady weight gain across your operation.
Tools for a Proactive Approach
Effective summer pest management starts with a solid strategy. Most producers rely on a combination of methods, including insecticide ear tags, pour-on or spray-on repellents, back rubbers, mineral supplements, and vaccinations. Some also introduce fly predators or set up fly traps near water sources and feed bunks. However, applying these solutions isn’t always straightforward, especially when cattle are uncooperative or stressed. That’s where reliable handling equipment makes all the difference. If livestock are difficult to restrain, the risk of injury to both animals and handlers increases, and the effectiveness of treatments can suffer.
Pearson Chutes: Designed for Comfort and Control
Linn Post & Pipe is proud to be a leading distributor of Pearson Livestock Equipment, a trusted name in the cattle industry. Our Pearson Prime chute is a go-to solution for producers who want strength, safety, and efficiency in one package. Built with quiet operation and animal comfort in mind, this chute features a smooth, manual or hydraulic squeeze system that securely holds animals in place without causing panic or injury.
One standout feature is the adjustable palpation section, which allows veterinarians and ranchers to work safely behind the animal during vaccinations, artificial insemination, or pregnancy checks. This section also provides an ideal access point for applying pour-on repellents or dewormers along the back line to fight against summer pests. Another key advantage of the Pearson chute is its open-access neck area. This design simplifies the process of treating cattle around the face and shoulders. With reduced stress and easier access, every treatment becomes more effective, ensuring better outcomes for your herd.
Adjustable Alleyways and Tubs: Smart Flow for Every Operation
Chutes are only one piece of the puzzle to combat summer pests and have a healthy herd. To get animals safely and efficiently into the chute, you need well-designed alleys and crowding systems that promote calm, steady movement. Linn Post & Pipe offers adjustable alleyways that can shrink from 30 inches down to 18 inches using a single lever. This feature is essential for working cattle of all sizes, from calves to full-grown bulls, and it keeps animals comfortably confined to prevent turning or backing up.
Our alleyways also offer left- or right-hand curve options, giving ranchers the flexibility to set up their system to match their working style and space constraints. When paired with our crowding tubs, which gently funnel animals toward the chute, you get a complete handling system that minimizes stress.
Invest in Peace of Mind
If you’re tired of wrestling with summer pests and outdated, inefficient equipment, now’s the time to upgrade your handling system. Visit linnpost.com to explore our full line of livestock products, request a quote, or speak with a knowledgeable team member about your specific needs.