But Ripcord is the exception to the rule, points out BASF marketing manager Fenton Hazelwood.

Ripcord from BASF is unique in that it is classified in New Zealand as both an agricultural compound and a veterinary medicine, which means that it protects both plants and animals from insects.

It is also widely used as a surface spray to control most flying and crawling insects such as cockroaches, flies and spiders in domestic and farm situations.

Hazelwood says having so many uses is one of the reasons the product is the most recognised insecticide on NZ farms.

“Ripcord has great brand recognition, because it’s been around for a while, and people know that it works.”

The common practice of periodically spraying cows with Ripcord during summer as they finish milking is for protection from flies.

With good coverage the animal receives many weeks of protection and while the meat withholding period is 24 days, there is no withholding period for milk from treated cows, he says.

A 500 ml bottle of Ripcord is enough to treat 200 adult cows for flies, acting quickly and effectively as both a knock-down and a repellent treatment for at least a month or more after application.

Ripcord is lipophilic, meaning it binds to the oils in the animals coat and because of this feature it has a long lasting repellent effect.

As well as adult cattle and horses, the product is also registered for use on young cattle, calves and ponies.

Approval as an agricultural compound means that Ripcord can also be used as a general insecticide for caterpillar control on cabbages, tomatoes, cauliflower and sweetcorn.

“Nothing beats Ripcord for versatility, which is why it’s the preferred choice around NZ farms,” Hazelwood says.

For more detail phone BASF on 0800 932 273.