Helping prevent blowfly strike in sheep
With flystrike now a topic of conversation in Southland, this is a further sign that flies have migrated south to populate all the sheep farming regions of New Zealand.
Having over-wintered, pupae become ready to continue their life cycle in spring. The result is blowfly strike which causes sudden and severe production loss in sheep. If untreated, flystrike can cause death from dehydration and septicaemia. One of the challenges of recognising flystrike is that wool can hide early evidence of the condition and therefore may not be detected until several animals are significantly affected.
Prevention is the best approach, with both cyromazine and dicyclanil being effective against all blowfly species. Flies with resistance to organo-phosphate and benzyl phenyl urea (diflubenzuron and triflumuron) dips are present in New Zealand.
Dip products attach to wool fibres and disrupt the lifecycle of the maggots, giving prolonged periods of protection when applied correctly.
Vetmed’s Cyromax Spray On is ready to use and is applied using a specialist fan applicator. Achieving good coverage requires practice; adjusting the height above the lamb, squeezing the right amount of pressure on the applicator and the action of flicking the wrist. Practicing with the gun using water on a dry concrete surface can be useful.
The dye in Cyromax Spray On shows where the product has been applied. The areas of the lamb most prone to flystrike are the tail base and hindquarters. Older sheep can also become struck along the back. If in doubt, apply more product to ensure adequate coverage.
Vetmed Cyromax Liquid is a concentrate that requires dilution with clean water and is applied using an Automatic Jetting Race (AJR) or hand jetter. Getting sufficient dip wash onto lambs to provide the expected protection is a challenge using an AJR. Ensure you have a well-maintained system, with the pump able to maintain a minimum of 450 kPa. Keep sufficiently clean nozzles and hold them 150 mm above the lamb as slowing them down improves the consistency of the outcome. Invert and shake Cyromax Liquid thoroughly to mix the concentrate before use. Use all the dip wash on the day it is mixed.
Flystruck lambs, even those affected by small strikes, require individual treatment and monitoring. Do not rely on the AJR to successfully treat struck lambs.
Heavy rain washes some of the cyromazine from the fleece, reducing the protection period which can range anywhere from three to six weeks.
Use other management techniques to help prevent lambs from attracting blowflies including shearing, dagging and using effective drenches.
To implement a flystrike prevention plan, contact your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.
Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, Vetmed Cyromax Liquid #A011382 and Vetmed Cyromax Spray On #A011399. Always read the registered label before use.
