The BOS BAG is a simple, and effective means of treating your cattle with non-residual insect control products. This option comes as a bundle with the certified organic insecticide - Grainsave.
Grainsave is a <10 micron AMORPHOUS silica product that desecrates insect exoskeletons on contact. Exoskeleton damage leads to dehydration and death. Insects that move around the body of animals and between animals (like flies) have a higher chance of contact and the tiny particle size (less than 1/30th that of DE Fines) means a surface area to volume ratio condusive to maximum effect. This physical contact product doesn't enter the blood stream (no WHP), has no resistance problems and is largely harmless if consumed (many are beneficial). Other products may be added or used in the bags should label allow and bags can be used in conjunction with other fly control measures.
Refillable BOS BAGS can be used for external parasites with a desirable coverage of 1 BOS BAG for every 50 adults in a herd New design features including an improved water-resistant outer and secondary shadecloth rub, ensure longer bag life and rain resistance.
By filling with Grainsave (an on-label insecticide) rather than other DE products, and training cattle to self-medicate (in a high traffic area) early in the season, may aid in keeping fly populations under the levels that adversely effects animal welfare.
BOS BAGS were invented in Qld. Australia and are manufactured locally in regional Queensland.
See the BOS BAG in action below:
BOS BAG installation:
1. When you get your BOS BAG you will need to find a rigid horizontal support pole no shorter than about 120cm to slot through the top "folded" end of the bag. Make sure you insert through the middle of the two layers of hessian and the canvas outer. Screw or tie the bag at each end to the pole to ensure bunching doesn’t occur. Pole diameter may be up to 40 or 50mm and the pole will only have to be able to support 10kg plus the extra pressure of cattle "playing" with the suspended bag.
2. Lengths of chain, cable or rope long enough to allow horizontal hanging at the desired application height should be attached to each end of the pole. Remember to re-fill the BOS BAG you will have to be able to easily take the bag down, re-fill and replace.
3. The canvas BOS BAG has eyelets that provide an alternative attachment option however it is recommended that the eyelets be used IN ADDITION to the horizontal support pole.
4. To fill the BOS BAG, open the Velcro end and scoop (don't pour) up to 5kg of Grainsave (powder bag contents) carefully into the opening. Try not to get dust into the Velcro as it will affect performance of the Velcro. Don’t overfill.
5. Initially hang the bag in a high traffic area of the paddock with its base height a few inches below the height of the shoulder of the smallest target animals. If you are feeding lick (such as sulphur) for an integrated approach to parasite control, you may choose to place bag over lick feeding area, near entries to water or at a high-traffic shade camp area.
6. After a week, usually most animals know what the bag is for and an effect should be seen. Move the bag with the cattle if necessary and over time the cattle will seek out the bags so placement becomes less important. Generally 1 Bos Bag per 50 head and refill monthly in the fly season. NOTE:Dust use by bulls is usually much higher than other classes of cattle.
Horses and other species are not primary targets and are often more prone to damaging bags than cattle. Grainsave however works in the same way on many problem insect classes.
