University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Sheep death and loss of production associated with flystrike in mature Merino and crossbred ewes

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 19:54 authored by Brian HortonBrian Horton, Stephen CorkreyStephen Corkrey, Doughty, AK
In eight well-managed Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks the adult ewes were monitored frequently for flystrike. Occurrences of flystrike and severity of strike scores were recorded, whereas bodyweights and condition scores were recorded regularly across two wool production and reproduction cycles. In these unmulesed flocks, 17% of Merino and 5% of crossbred ewes were struck, with 2% of those struck dead within 7 days of detection of the strike. For those adult ewes that survived the immediate period of the strike, the rate of loss over the following year was slightly greater than for ewes that were never struck, particularly for those with a high severity strike. Flystrike also contributed to losses of up to 2.7 (Merino ewes) and 5.2 (crossbred ewes) kg of bodyweight, and 0.3 condition score units at the time of the strike. Bodyweights were still 2 kg lower by 3 months after the strike occurred for Merinos, although condition scores returned to average levels. For ewes struck between mating and lambing, flystrike was associated with significant losses of lambs. Flystrike at severity level 1 (light) had only minor effects on wool production, but severity score 3 (heavy) reduced clean fleece weight.

Funding

CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation

History

Publication title

Animal Production Science

Volume

58

Issue

7

Pagination

1289-1296

ISSN

1836-0939

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2018 CSIRO

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Sheep for wool

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC