Bluetongue, EHD, biting insects: Supporting herd performance starts in the pasture
With the spread of bluetongue and EHD, combined with the extended activity periods of insect vectors, the summer of 2026 serves as a reminder that biting insects are much more than just a nuisance on pastures. Dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, and goats are now facing pressures that can directly affect their well-being and performance.
An impact on performance that is often underestimated
Long before any health problems arise, insects profoundly disrupt animal behavior.
An animal bothered by stomach flies or horseflies spends less time grazing, reduces its rest periods, and expends more energy defending itself. Constant tail swishing, head movements, gathering in shaded areas, or constant movement are all behaviors that reduce feed efficiency.
The consequences can quickly become apparent:
- Decline in milk production;
- Slower growth in heifers and young cattle;
- Decrease in the average daily gain of feedlot cattle;
- Increased energy expenditure associated with defensive behaviors.
These problems come on top of an already challenging summer season, during which animals often have to cope simultaneously with the heat, declining grass quality, and parasite pressure.
2026: Increased Vigilance Against Insect Vectors
Today, the issue goes beyond the simple question of animal comfort.
Culicoides, which have been closely monitored in recent years, are the primary vectors of diseases such as bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). Their activity now extends over longer periods than in the past, underscoring the need to implement a comprehensive risk management strategy for pastures.
In this context, every measure that helps improve animal welfare and mitigate the effects of insect pressure takes on greater significance.
New Aiolyx® Formula: A Multi-Ingredient Approach to Support Ruminants on Pasture
Deltavit is upgrading Aiolyx® with a new-generation formula based on a complex of synergistic active ingredients.
The major change lies in a more comprehensive approach : garlic is no longer used as the sole key ingredient but as one of the components of a strategy that combines several aromatic substances.
The new formula combines, in particular:
- Garlic powder and garlic oil, sources of active sulfur compounds;
- Oregano essential oil rich in carvacrol and thymol;
- An absinthe tincture;
- A quillaja extract;
- A blend of carefully selected aromatic substances.
This combination is designed to support performance in the presence of insects.
The goal remains the same: to support the animals during periods of high insect pressure so they can devote more time to feeding, rumination, and rest.
A Summer Ally for Cattle and Small Ruminant Farms
Available in the form of a lick block, Aiolyx® easily integrates into pasture herd management. It provides energy, vitamins, and trace minerals while supporting a comprehensive approach to helping animals cope with summer nuisances.
In 2026, while insect pressure remains a major concern for livestock producers, animal comfort is emerging as a key performance driver in its own right. With its new multi-active ingredient formula, Aiolyx® offers an innovative solution to support ruminants throughout the grazing season.
