content
Preventing flystrike without mulesing
Departments strategies for meeting non-mulesing challenge
With all Department of Agriculture and Food WA research stations ceasing mulesing from April 1st this year, strategies are being implemented to ensure that the first batch of unmulesed lambs are not at increased risk of flystrike. Several strategies are being introduced and where applicable these will be evaluated in terms of effectiveness, practicality, impact on current operations and cost.
The three main focus areas are management practices, chemical usage and genetic selection. Each research station with sheep flocks will implement their own specific program to allow for local climatic and operational considerations. A review of current practices has identified that no locations routinely jet to prevent flystrike and virtually no tactical jetting is required, as shearing and crutching times, and worm control strategies have achieved a high level of protection.
Management practices
For the identified seasonal high-risk fly periods, fly activity will be monitored and sheep observations will be increased from current levels to determine if strategic jetting or crutching is needed. Only one station plans to bring shearing forward by a couple of weeks to better coincide with the seasonal fly challenge. Currently, most locations incorporate a pre-shearing crutch of selected sheep, as required. The number needing to be crutched at this time is likely to increase as more unmulesed sheep enter the flock.
Chemical use
A key objective is to minimise chemical use to avoid wool residues and/or increasing the risk of the development of chemical resistance. It is not envisaged that routine jetting will automatically be carried out. However, new equipment will be purchased to enable staff to apply chemicals in an emergency situation, should this be required. A chemical use plan is being developed which will provide recommended chemical types in relation to length of protection required, application method, cost, time of shearing and crutching, and stock turn-off for slaughter to ensure that withholding periods are met.
Genetic selection
To reduce overall susceptibility of flocks, ewe and ram selection for key traits will commence this year. Adult ewes will be assessed at shearing for degree of wrinkle (body and breech), breech bareness, wool colour and conformation etc. Despite already being mulesed, it is believed that there is value in assessing potential indicator traits in adult sheep. Hogget ewes will also be assessed at 14 months of age using similar criteria as for the adults. In addition, existing flock rams will also be assessed and selected for suitability. To achieve maximum genetic gain, the use of artificial insemination is also being considered.
Regular updates will be provided through rural media and the Ag Memo.
Resource information, contact AWI on 1800 070 099 to obtain the following:
- AWI Fighting flystrike CD includes case studies, chemical table etc
- AWI & MLA Visual sheep scores booklet for aiding selection of key traits
Chemical use on unmulesed sheep have you done it?
If so, we would like to hear from you
The key fly treatment chemicals available have been registered based on trials involving mulesed sheep. There is some uncertainty as to how the chemicals will perform on unmulesed sheep that have long wool and/or soiling of the breech area. There is some evidence that strategic jetting might be best achieved by applying chemicals to sheep around six weeks after shearing or crutching when the wool is relatively short. However, for producers who prefer to monitor and then jet only if it is required, it is essential to know the degree of protection expected if chemicals are used on sheep with longer wool which may also be daggy and/or stained.
There is some anecdotal evidence that jetting sheep with six months wool has provided sufficient fly protection. However, the information is scarce and it would be very useful to have key details including which chemicals were used, application method, age of animals, degree of soiling, seasonal conditions etc.
If you can provide this information, please contact Di Evans. It is hoped that this information will be shared amongst producers wishing to gain more knowledge about the use of chemicals on unmulesed sheep.
Contact details;
Di Evans Ph 9848 3645, 0408 867 756 or Email devans@agric.wa.gov.au
Non-mulesing information network
DAFWA is keen to set up an information network of producers and others interested in sharing information and/or gaining access to information on all aspects relating to managing flystrike without surgical mulesing.
If you are interested, please register with Di Evans or preferably by email devans@agric.wa.gov.au
What can you do this season?
With the move to a cessation of mulesing by 2010, producers, if they haven't already done so, need to start planning how they will manage flystrike in its absence.
There are some things that can be done this season to set you up for effective control;
1. Start working on a plan Although ceasing mulesing is the aim, dont immediately cease mulesing unless you have a clear approach to managing flystrike. Review the current flystrike levels, times of high risk and time of crutching/shearing to assess where a better fit of practices could help control flystrike.
2. Selection of ewes for next joining Post shearing is a good time to class your ewes for beneficial characteristics, even if they are mulesed. Selecting a better line of ewes for next joining will start contributing to the management of flystrike. Characteristics such as breech wrinkle, body wrinkle, dag score and bareness in the breech can be assessed on maiden and older ewes. Use the score charts for these traits developed by AWI.
3. Selection of rams review your current ram flock for beneficial characteristics. Also review the ram source and the breeders objectives, especially for body wrinkle, before purchasing new rams this season.
4. Get worms and scouring under control scouring and dag formation is a key factor in breech strike. Follow a strategic plan to minimise worm burdens and resulting scouring (DAFWA FactSheet 11/2005), and use worm Egg Counts (WEC) to check whether worm numbers are reaching significant levels while sheep are on green feed. WECs will quickly determine whether scouring is due to large worm burdens so that drenching will quickly control it, or if it is due to a hypersensitivity to worm larvae where few worms are present and treatment will have little effect. (This often occurs in mature sheep at the first contact of the season with large numbers of worm larvae, and scouring results from an intense immune reaction which removes the larvae.) Visit www.WormBoss.com.au for regional recommendations or www.agric.wa.gov.au to manage worms in your flock. Identifying the most heavily scouring animals and removing them from the flock is a positive start. Acting sooner is better.
5. Use an accredited mulesing contractor Ensure that your lamb marking is conducted by an accredited mulesing contractor. All contracted must be accredited in WA and all producers who mules on their own properties must be accredited by December 2008. These contractors have been trained in the correct procedure and handling of lambs. Contact the Kondinin Group (www.kondinin.com.au) for more information .
6. Consider pain relief at marking An effective pain relief product is available for use during the mules operation. The product Trisolfen ® is available from Veterinarians. Producers who use pain relief at mulesing have opportunities to market their wool as such.
7. Cull lambs for breech wrinkle at marking breech wrinkle can be assessed at marking Use the AWI Visual Sheep Scores booklet to score the lambs and cull the worst. Determine an appropriate level of culling for your flock structure, including at least those score 5 lambs.Resource information
The Department of Agriculture & Food has information on its website that is being updated and added regularly. New information and results on trials as well as field days and workshops will be listed. (www.agric.wa.gov.au/mulesing)
AWI has information and resources;
- AWI Fighting flystrike CD includes case studies, chemical table etc
- AWI & MLA Visual sheep scores booklet for aiding selection of key traits (www.wool.com.au or 1800 070 099 )
Events
| 07/08/2012 | |
| Plant Disease Identification Course... | |
| 06/08/2012 | |
| Insect Pest Identification Course... | |
| 26/06/2012 | |
| Sheep Updates 2012 "More Sheep - It... | |
| 09/06/2012 | |
| Marketing and Business Plan worksho... | |
| 08/06/2012 | |
| DAFWA and the Beef CRC present...Br... | |
| 05/06/2012 | |
| DAFWA and the Beef CRC presents...B... | |
| view all... | |