What is the main goal of integrated pest management in livestock?

Integrated pest management (IPM) in livestock primarily aims to combine various strategies for pest control. This holistic approach emphasizes using a variety of methods to manage pest populations effectively while minimizing risks to humans, animals, and the environment. By integrating cultural, biological, and physical controls alongside chemical methods, IPM seeks to achieve a balanced pest management strategy that reduces reliance on any single method, especially chemical pesticides, which can have undesirable side effects.

The focus on combining different strategies allows livestock producers to tackle pest problems in a sustainable way, promoting long-term pest control and reducing the likelihood of pest resistance developing against pesticides. This multifaceted approach enables more effective management by considering the life cycle and behavior of pests, the ecosystems in which livestock operate, and the overall health of the animals involved.