A local sheep farmer, based near Honiton, Devon, has reported the first incidence of blowfly strike in the region, warning other farmers that the parasite season is already threatening flocks in the area.
Blowfly strike is one of the most unpleasant yet familiar annual problems that sheep farmers need to deal with. It is caused by the infestation of sheep by fly maggots which feed directly on the skin of affected animals, causing serious distress and welfare problems and in some cases death. In the UK, blowfly strike occurs on over 80 per cent of sheep farms1. Experts have warned farmers that prevention is better than cure because once a strike has happened sheep can die very quickly.
Overwintered blowfly larvae will begin to develop in the soil as temperatures rise above 9oC, and can mature very quickly; when temperature’s reach this level, the start of the strike season will not be far behind.
Blowfly larvae develop through three stages between egg and adult; it is within stages two and three that the larvae cause damage to sheep, known as blowfly strike, which can lead to production losses and welfare problems.
Fiona Anderson, Technical Consultant Manager at Elanco Animal Health comments: “Prevention is always best in the case of blowfly strike because it can establish very quickly. Farmers have so many demands on their time it can be easy to miss an affected sheep. An infestation can be easily prevented through the use of products which contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as CLiK® and CLiKZiN®. These inhibit the development of the damaging second and third stage maggots which are responsible for causing fly strike and stock damage.”
To help promote best practice and awareness of blowfly strike management, with a particular focus on early prevention, Elanco Animal Health has launched the FleeceBind Lottery campaign to raise awareness of this disease. For more information visit www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk or to report a case of blowfly strike in your area, please email enquiries@farmanimalhealth.co.uk
