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Sheep producers are reminded to make sure they have processes in place to monitor for flystrike and to immediately treat any animals showing signs to ensure the welfare and profitability of the flock.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development veterinary officer Danny Roberts said the recent rainfall coupled with the warmer weather provided the ideal environment for flystrike to occur.

“Ideal conditions for both body and breech strike include daytime temperatures greater than 15 degrees, enough rainfall to keep sheep moist and wind speed of less than nine kilometres per hour for three days,” Dr Roberts said. 

“Any evidence of sheep blow flies, even one or two, is an indicator that conditions are ripe.

“Sheep with a high level of wrinkles are most susceptible, as well as those with dags and urine stain, often as a result of scouring in response to a worm burden.

“The risk is generally unique to each paddock and each producer, as the blowflies that cause flystrike only travel within three kilometres of where they hatch.”

Signs of flystrike include sheep that are on their own, possibly not grazing; dark stains on the wool, particularly the shoulders, back or crutch; tail twitching, rubbing or checking the affected part; and an offensive odour.

Dr Roberts said it was more economical to prevent flystrike than to treat it and there were a range of effective preventative treatment options available to producers.

“Crutching is an effective means of reducing the risk of flystrike,” he said

“A crutch provides up to six weeks protection from breech strike but is reduced to three weeks, if sheep are scouring.

“Producers should consider applying a registered flystrike chemical to manage the risk of flystrike, particularly body strike, where environment conditions are conducive to fly development and sheep are likely to be attractive to flies.

“Once flystrike is established, the best option is to remove wool around the affected area and apply an approved registered chemical treatment. The infected sheep should be removed from the breeding flock as flystrike is heritable.”

The department’s free is a valuable tool to help producers manage strict chemical withholding periods for both treatment and prevention.

The also has a number of tools to assist wool producers to treat individual sheep or the whole flock, identify products and estimate wool residues, as well as decision support tools and management plans.

Southern Livestock Compliance team leader Richard Ward said it was important for producers to treat sheep showing signs of flystrike promptly and not transport them to saleyards while infested.

“It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Transport Regulations to transport sheep with a prescribed condition such as flystrike,” Mr Ward said.

“Our Animal Welfare Inspectors are currently managing two active cases and will continue to monitor saleyards and abattoirs.”

Media contact:

Katrina Bowers/Megan Broad, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937