Questions and Answers
What is the primary source of protein required for female blowflies before egg laying?
Common sources of protein for female blowflies are carcases, manure, and existing strikes.
At what temperature range does L.cuprina show increased activity?
L.cuprina is most active between 26°C and 38°C.
How does wind speed affect the flight activity of blowflies?
Wind speeds above 9km/h will reduce flight activity, and they do not fly at all when it exceeds 30km/h.
What management strategies can be used to prevent flystrike in sheep?
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What is the relationship between dag score and susceptibility to breech strike?
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Why is assessing worm egg counts (WEC) important in sheep management?
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How long can shearing and crutching protect sheep from breech strike, and what affects this duration?
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What long-term genetic option is suggested for reducing the risk of flystrike?
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What significant event regarding flystrike incidence was recorded at Mount Barker Research Station in September 1978?
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Why is prevention of flystrike considered more economical than treatment?
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What are the main types of flystrike observed in sheep?
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How does environmental conditions affect the risk of flystrike?
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What is the primary blowfly responsible for initiating flystrike in sheep?
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Describe the lifecycle of the Australian sheep blowfly from egg to larva.
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What is the role of the hairy maggot fly in relation to flystrike?
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Why is it important to reduce the risk of flystrike in sheep?
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Why is it important to crutch unmulesed lambs before significant dags form?
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What is the primary reason Extinosad® provides limited protection on lambs?
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What is the recommended tail docking length for lambs?
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How long do adult Australian sheep blowflies typically live?
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How does the open hairy nature of lamb fleece affect the breakdown of fly chemicals?
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What factors might influence how susceptible sheep are to flystrike?
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What method is preferred for crutching excessively dirty unmulesed sheep?
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How does short tail docking affect the incidence of rectal prolapses in sheep?
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What physical characteristics identify the Australian sheep blowfly?
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What precautions should be taken when applying fly chemicals with jetting equipment?
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What temperatures do blowfly larvae typically prefer for pupation?
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What is one potential benefit of using the Te Pari Patesco knife for tail docking?
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Define 'withholding periods' in the context of chemical application for livestock.
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Under what conditions should blowfly prevention chemicals be applied?
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What negative outcomes can arise from the misuse of chemicals in livestock treatment?
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What key factors should be considered when choosing a chemical for blowfly treatment?
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Why might mulesing be unnecessary for some sheep producers?
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What is a crucial consideration when applying chemicals to manage flystrike?
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How can breeding be utilized to combat breech strike in sheep?
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What does the term 'wool withholding period' refer to?
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What is the role of indicator traits in breeding for breech strike resistance?
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Why is pre-lambing crutching beneficial?
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What should be done after using protective equipment for chemical application?
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Study Notes
Impact of Flystrike on Sheep Enterprises
- Flystrike significantly affects profitability through lost productivity and increased costs for treatment and prevention.
- Prevention enhances animal welfare, farmer wellbeing, and farm productivity.
Types of Flystrike
- Five types of flystrike exist, with body and breech strikes being the most common and impactful.
- Risk levels depend on the sheep's susceptibility and environmental conditions.
Risk Prediction
- Assessing environmental conditions and sheep susceptibility aids in predicting flystrike risks.
- Understanding the Australian blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) life cycle is key to effective prediction.
Biology of the Blowfly
- The Australian sheep blowfly causes 90% of flystrikes; it is copper green with reddish eyes and measures about 10mm in length.
- It produces smooth-skinned white maggots, and damaged tissue from flystrike attracts secondary flies like Chrysomya rufifacies.
Blowfly Life Cycle
- Eggs hatch within 12-24 hours, growing from pinhead size to 10-15mm in three days before dropping to pupate.
- Adult blowflies have a lifespan of 2-3 weeks and typically do not travel beyond 3 km from their hatching site.
Environmental Conditions for Flystrike
- Flystrike risk increases with temperatures above 15°C, particularly between 26°C and 38°C.
- Blowflies are less active in winds above 9 km/h and cease flying over 30 km/h.
Sheep Susceptibility
- Sheep susceptibility varies based on environmental conditions, breed type, and management practices.
Flystrike Prevention Strategies
- Managing flystrike is more cost-effective than treatment.
- Short-term methods include strategic chemical applications, crutching, and shearing; long-term strategies involve genetic selection.
Controlling Worms and Dags
- Worm infestations can cause scouring, leading to dag formation, which increases flystrike risks.
- Regular worm egg counts (WEC) help monitor worm burdens and control scouring.
Crutching and Shearing
- Crutching and shearing provide protection against breech strike; ideally timed before the fly season.
- Non-mulesed sheep require careful timing for crutching to maximize protection.
Correct Tail Length
- Tail docking should occur at the third palpable joint to reduce staining and dag formation, lowering flystrike risk.
- The Te Pari Patesco knife offers a new method for tail docking that may further minimize flystrike risk.
Mulesing
- Mulesing may be unnecessary in low-risk areas where sheep are selectively bred for resistance to flystrike and worms.
Strategic Chemical Application
- Effective use of flystrike prevention chemicals integrates an understanding of blowfly biology and proper product application.
- Chemical choice must consider dosage, withholding periods, and mode of application.
Chemical Safety and Withholding Periods
- Safety measures include reading product labels and using appropriate protective gear during application.
- Withholding periods must be observed to ensure safety for wool and meat products post-chemical application.
Avoiding Chemical Misuse
- Incorrect chemical application can lead to ineffective treatment and resistance development.
- Chemicals must only be used as per label instructions to prevent adverse effects.
Genetics in Flystrike Prevention
- Breeding for resistance to breech strike offers a sustainable long-term solution.
- Selection focuses on traits such as low wrinkle, reduced dags, and adequate breech cover, improving overall resistance potential.
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Description
Explore the significant impact of flystrike on sheep farming profitability. This quiz covers various types of flystrike and their effects on animal health, productivity, and treatment costs. Improve your knowledge on risk reduction strategies for maintaining sheep health and farm efficiency.