Ohtsuki Co., Ltd. Begins Test Sale of Zebra-Patterned 'Motto Shima-ushi Coat' to Protect Cattle from Pests
Workwear manufacturer Ohtsuki Co., Ltd. has launched a limited test sale of the 'Motto Shima-ushi Coat,' a product that gives cattle a zebra-like appearance to repel insect pests, through its 'USIMO' brand for cattle goods. Developed jointly with a prefectural research institute in Okayama, the coat's striped pattern aims to confuse the vision of biting insects like horseflies and stable flies, thereby reducing stress on cattle and improving productivity. The sale is limited in quantity and available only through direct channels.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 08:31
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Ohtsuki Co., Ltd. (Tamba City, Hyogo; CEO: Shozo Ohtsuki), the company behind the USIMO brand for cattle goods, will begin a limited, direct-to-consumer test sale of the 'Motto Shima-ushi Coat,' a product designed to give cattle a zebra-like pattern to combat biting flies for both adult cattle and calves.
The insect-repellent effect of applying zebra patterns to cattle has gained considerable attention in recent years. According to research and experiments in Japan and abroad, the primary reported effects are:
1. **Insect Repellence**: The stripes of a zebra are said to confuse the vision of pests such as horseflies and stable flies, making it difficult for them to land and disrupting their sense of distance. Research has shown that painting black and white stripes on cattle reduced the number of insects that landed on them.
2. **Stress Reduction**: By reducing insect attachment, irritable behaviors in cattle, such as tail swinging and foot stamping, may decrease, potentially leading to reduced stress.
The 'Motto Shima-ushi Coat' is a product of joint research with the Livestock Research Institute of the Okayama Prefectural General Center for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
In summer, livestock farms face significant challenges from blood-sucking insects like horseflies, stable flies, biting midges, and mosquitoes. These pests cause severe pain and discomfort to cattle, leading to decreased feed intake and lack of rest. This, in turn, negatively impacts productivity, causing poor weight gain in beef cattle and reduced milk yield in dairy cows. Furthermore, when combined with heat stress, it depletes energy and increases the risk of infectious diseases.
Against this backdrop, Ohtsuki has leveraged its expertise in developing thermal coats to create a product that protects cattle from biting insects in collaboration with the research institute.
The company conducts a 'USIMO National Caravan,' visiting livestock markets across Japan. This product was developed based on feedback from many livestock farmers during last summer's caravan. To commemorate the new product launch, another caravan will be held this summer, providing an opportunity for farmers to inspect the products firsthand.
**About the USIMO Brand**
The 'USIMO' project was launched in 2019 to develop and sell thermal goods for calves, responding to requests from livestock farmers who were customers for the company's workwear. To date, USIMO has developed products including a neck warmer with a heating element, a heat-retaining muffler, a high-performance thermal coat, and a cooling contact neck cooler. Since last year, the brand has also been developing heat-stress solutions for animals in general.
**About Ohtsuki Co., Ltd.**
Founded in 1962 as a workwear store, Ohtsuki currently operates 15 directly-managed stores in Hyogo and Kyoto. For the USIMO project, the company travels to livestock farms from Hokkaido to Okinawa to continuously improve its products.
The insect-repellent effect of applying zebra patterns to cattle has gained considerable attention in recent years. According to research and experiments in Japan and abroad, the primary reported effects are:
1. **Insect Repellence**: The stripes of a zebra are said to confuse the vision of pests such as horseflies and stable flies, making it difficult for them to land and disrupting their sense of distance. Research has shown that painting black and white stripes on cattle reduced the number of insects that landed on them.
2. **Stress Reduction**: By reducing insect attachment, irritable behaviors in cattle, such as tail swinging and foot stamping, may decrease, potentially leading to reduced stress.
The 'Motto Shima-ushi Coat' is a product of joint research with the Livestock Research Institute of the Okayama Prefectural General Center for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
In summer, livestock farms face significant challenges from blood-sucking insects like horseflies, stable flies, biting midges, and mosquitoes. These pests cause severe pain and discomfort to cattle, leading to decreased feed intake and lack of rest. This, in turn, negatively impacts productivity, causing poor weight gain in beef cattle and reduced milk yield in dairy cows. Furthermore, when combined with heat stress, it depletes energy and increases the risk of infectious diseases.
Against this backdrop, Ohtsuki has leveraged its expertise in developing thermal coats to create a product that protects cattle from biting insects in collaboration with the research institute.
The company conducts a 'USIMO National Caravan,' visiting livestock markets across Japan. This product was developed based on feedback from many livestock farmers during last summer's caravan. To commemorate the new product launch, another caravan will be held this summer, providing an opportunity for farmers to inspect the products firsthand.
**About the USIMO Brand**
The 'USIMO' project was launched in 2019 to develop and sell thermal goods for calves, responding to requests from livestock farmers who were customers for the company's workwear. To date, USIMO has developed products including a neck warmer with a heating element, a heat-retaining muffler, a high-performance thermal coat, and a cooling contact neck cooler. Since last year, the brand has also been developing heat-stress solutions for animals in general.
**About Ohtsuki Co., Ltd.**
Founded in 1962 as a workwear store, Ohtsuki currently operates 15 directly-managed stores in Hyogo and Kyoto. For the USIMO project, the company travels to livestock farms from Hokkaido to Okinawa to continuously improve its products.