Shear sheep early to combat blowfly
The warm and dry spring conditions present the ideal opportunity to shear sheep early to reduce health issues such as blowfly strike. Investing in shearing equipment and starting early can make all the difference.
Changing weather patterns have led to the blowfly season being elongated and less predictable. The warm spring has kicked off the threat early, so shearing and treating sheep promptly will help reduce the impact of blowfly now and later in the year.
“Administering an insect growth regulator (IGR) like those in the CLiK range, can help control blowfly damage and associated losses by preventing the development of the damaging second and third stage larvae,” explains Elanco’s Matt Colston.
In warm weather, eggs that have been laid in the sheep’s fleece can hatch quickly with damage caused by maggots feeding on the skin in as little as 24-36 hours.
“With conditions currently ideal for blowfly activity, it’s advised to administer a shorter acting IGR, such as CLiK ZIN, to protect flocks ahead of shearing, before following up with a longer acting treatment, such as CLiK EXTRA, for a further 19 weeks of protection post-shearing,” he adds.
The CLiK range of products are the only IGRs with Fleecebind® protection which sticks to the wool even in damp conditions and spreads from tip to base of the fleece to provide consistent protection.
Experienced sheep shearer, Hefin Rowlands from shearing equipment manufacturer Heiniger, suggests that a close and even cut can greatly reduce the risk of blowfly strike.
“Selecting a handpiece, comb, and cutter that delivers a close, clean cut is key to achieving an even surface for applying an IGR off shears, meaning applications of CLiK applied straight after shearing will effectively grow with the fleece to protect the animal into the season,” he says.
“That’s why investing in quality shearing gear and staying on top of regular maintenance is essential for efficient shearing and effective blowfly prevention,” he adds.
In drier, warmer years, the further benefits of shearing early are largely associated with reducing heat stress. Following lambing, as temperatures build, sheep that have been sheared earlier will deal with the heat better.
“Shearing early enables the fleece to regrow before the higher temperatures experienced in summer. A common misconception is that sheep with an inch or more of fleece will be less able to cope with heat. In fact, the presence of a relatively thin fleece in summer helps the sheep to regulate its temperature and protects its skin from direct sunlight,” says Mr Rowlands.
Shearing is beneficial to lambs as well as ewes and can improve growth rate by encouraging higher dry matter intake.
“Shearing when lambs are below 35 kilos can increase growth rates by around 20 grams per head per day which will have a significant benefit to overall dead, live weight gain,” he concludes.
Link to Elanco UK website – Elanco UK Products
