Don and I have started adding raw apple cider vinegar to the stock tanks. We have been reading about its usage to aid in digestion and to ward off face flies. In the beginning, we offered the apple cider vinegar as free choice in tubs. The cattle ignored it, and the vinegar attached flying insects; no flies though. This became a concern to me. As the cattle excreted body fluid, would these flying insects become an irritant to the livestock?

Our next try was to dilute the apple cider vinegar with water, still offering it free choice. The amount of flying insects attracted to the tub definitely decreased, however, the cattle still ignored it.

As stated above, our final trial was adding the apple cider vinegar directly to the water tanks. The cattle have no choice but to drink the vinegar. And they do. Face flies are fewer; some days more than others. My thought behind this is that each animal is not getting a correct amount of apple cider vinegar on a consistent basis. To get equal distribution of the vinegar throughout the tank, with the correct ratio of water to apple cider vinegar, is impractical.

Don and I will continue the use of raw apple cider vinegar, in conjunction with our custom salt mix, to combat flies and parasites. As for the flying insects that were attracted to the vinegar in tubs, they are not a problem for the cattle. If you have used apple cider vinegar in your own herd, or know a good source for quality vinegar in a powdered form, let us know. We would like to know your system and results.