Lee Manning, District Veterinary Officer
With spring conditions now well established, sheep producers are encouraged to review their flystrike prevention plans.
Flystrike remains one of the most significant animal welfare and production challenges facing the sheep industry.
The condition can reduce productivity, increase labour and treatment costs and, in severe cases, result in sheep deaths.
Early planning can reduce the risk of flystrike and help producers avoid costly interventions later in the season.
Flystrike risk increases when warm temperatures coincide with moisture, creating favourable conditions for blowfly activity.
While the timing and severity of flystrike vary between seasons and regions, producers should review their management strategies before high-risk periods develop.
For many producers, a wet winter combined with warmer-than-average temperatures may result in earlier fly activity this year.
Fly activity generally increases when temperatures rise above 17°C, while blowfly larvae emerge when soil temperatures exceed 15°C.
The FlyBoss website provides practical tools to help producers compare management options and assess how different strategies may work within their enterprise.
Decisions around shearing, crutching and preventative treatments can then be tailored to local conditions and production systems.
The timing of crutching and shearing plays an important role in reducing sheep susceptibility during periods of high flystrike risk.
Producers should also ensure all chemical treatments are accurately recorded and that withholding periods and export slaughter intervals (ESIs) are observed where required.
Maintaining accurate treatment records is important for demonstrating compliance with Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) requirements.
As the season progresses, regular flock inspections become increasingly important.
Early signs of flystrike can include irritation, restlessness, reduced grazing, wool discolouration, a strong odour, or sheep separating from the mob.
Prompt identification and treatment are essential to minimise animal welfare impacts and production losses.
While chemical treatments remain an important management tool, they should form part of a broader integrated flystrike management program.
Rotating chemical groups where practical and following label directions can help maintain the effectiveness of available treatments.
Taking the time to review your flystrike prevention plan now can help reduce the risk of flystrike later in the season and support the health, welfare and productivity of your flock.
