What is a Cattle Oiler?

A cattle oiler keeps your herd healthy and happy. These machines, sometimes referred to as cattle brushes or cattle mops, apply a small amount of a special liquid (pesticide) to your cattle's coats to repel insects like face flies, ticks and lice. They also have the added benefit of grooming excess hair and dead skin.

Using a cattle oiler is a cost effective way to keep your livestock healthy. This investment keeps your herd in optimal condition and makes them happier. They apply insecticide to your cattle so you don’t have to go through the hassle of re-applying a spray to your herd.

Additionally, cattle oilers are easy to install and maintain so there’s absolutely no reason to skip on this investment.  

Cattle Oiler Cost Guide

The cost depends on the type of cattle oiler you choose. Naturally, you should expect better models to cost more money. Some of the best models are gravity fed systems, which are especially useful for face flies. Another popular model uses a tank with a small amount of insecticide. These machines also have a few other features. Some hold two different types of insecticide and switch modes in order to counter resistance.

All of these features affect the cost of the cattle oiler. So how do you gauge the price?

First and foremost, you have to identify the type of livestock. There are cattle oilers and goat oilers, each one having specific traits catered to the species. This is tricky because even models designed for goats are still usually called cattle oilers. They also have much different price tags.

You also need to decide on the type of cattle oiler that will meet your needs. You have a few options here.

Brush Oilers

Brush oilers are built with a brush attached to the tank. The tank is loaded with insecticide so that when the animals brush their bodies against the brushes, the insecticide is automatically applied to them. Brush oilers tend to get the product into the animal’s hair more thoroughly and it also keeps them groomed.

Mop Oilers

Mop oilers are designed using a horizontal tank that houses the pesticide. Felt is wrapped around it in order to promote slow dispensing. Finally, a curtain that resembles a mop hangs from the tank. Mop oilers are attached to certain types of feeders. The idea is that when the animal pokes its head in to eat, the curtain applies the insecticide.

Benefits of Using a Cattle Oiler

One of the biggest benefits is that it protects your cattle from disease-carrying insects. Pests like mosquitoes, face flies, horn flies, lice, and stable flies have a negative impact on the health of your animals.

Health and happiness increases the productivity of your herd, increasing daily gains and milk production.

Cattle oiler designs are simple and straightforward, making it easy for farmers to use them. Most of them are self-applying so cattle receive the application of the liquid on their own. The key is to prevent the spread of disease between animals by preventing exposure to certain pests.

What really makes cattle oilers so appealing is that they have the animals do all of the work. Other methods of pesticide application (including ear tags) require labor, so cattle oilers are a great way for farmers to free up time to perform other tasks. Furthermore, cattle oilers ensure that pesticide is dispensed in the right areas by relying on the animal’s instincts. They will naturally rub themselves on areas that are infected with pests.

Cattle Oiler Benefits Over Ear Tags

• -Ear tags lose potency quickly so keeping up with them is a lot of work.
• -Putting ear tags on an animal is highly stressful for them. Cattle oilers actually help alleviate stress.
• -They are easy to install.

Cattle Oiler Benefits Over Other Methods

• -Due to their design, cattle oilers encourage animals to stick around for extended periods and ensure proper exposure.
• -Oilers tend to be more durable than other methods of pesticide application.
• -Ensure even distribution through the herd.

Cattle Oilers Must be Used Properly

Only use insecticides that are approved safe for cattle. Don’t follow old practices like mixing diesel fuel in with the insecticide. We’re not sure why people still do this.

Furthermore, insecticide isn’t used year-round. Only use it during peak times when pests are an issue. The exact timing will depend on where you live. For example, fly-control insecticides should only be administered once the count reaches about 200 per head.

The bottom line is this: Cattle oilers are an effective and efficient of long-term pest control, and your herd will thank you for it!