A Blowfly Emergence Forecast has been launched on the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) website.
According to SCOPS, the forecast has been introduced to “help sheep farmers take a proactive approach to flystrike prevention”.
The group’s website said that blowflies are one of the most widespread ectoparasites affecting sheep in the UK, “with surveys suggesting 80% of flocks will have one or more cases of blowfly strike every year”.Â
The scheme includes three strategies – early warning, close inspections and preventative measures in an effort to combat the issue.
Weather data from over 140 weather stations around the UK will be collected to accurately inform farmers.
SCOPS has warned that “resistance to parasiticides will become one of the biggest challenges to the future health and profitability of the sector”.
‘Prevention is better than cure’
Kevin Harrison, chair of SCOPS said: “Having an accurate indication of when blowflies are first emerging in spring allows farmers to put preventative measures in place in good time.
“Once the strike occurs, the consequences for sheep welfare and productivity can be severe.”
The group said the forecast comes at “the perfect time for farmers as flies overwinter as pupae in the soil and emerge in spring”, though variable weather patterns can lead to blowflies emerging earlier or later.
SCOPS warns “farmers can be caught out if they rely solely on fixed calendar-based routines.”
The SCOPS blowfly forecast reports on predicted blowfly emergence using a colour-coded approach:
- Grey – Fly emergence unlikely
- Yellow – Fly emergence possible soon
- Orange – Fly emergence likely soon
- Red – Flies emerging
Once flies are present, they remain capable of causing strike if conditions on individual farms allow, SCOPS cautioned.
This is why once an area turns red on the forecast, it will remain red for the rest of the blowfly season.
SCOPS stresses that emergence risk is not the same as cases of flystrike.
It advises that strike can occur on farms based on the following factors:
- Fly population levels
- Weather conditions
- Fleece length and cleanliness
- Grazing environment and field shelter
SCOPS is encouraging farmers and vets to report confirmed cases of flystrike using the existing flystrike reporting system, which records cases by postcode.
It encourages all sheep farmers to make use of the forecast while also maintaining regular flock inspection, effective management and targeted preventative treatments to protect animal welfare throughout the blowfly season.