Agriculture Victoria sheep specialist Lyndon Kubeil said recent warm and wet weather was conducive to flystrike and seed contamination issues in sheep.
He said while timely shearing and crutching was commonly used to manage these, expected delays in securing shearers this year would require producers to have a solid ‘Plan B’.
Flystrike is a condition that costs the Australian sheep industry about $173 million annually, through lost production, treatment costs and deaths.
Mr Kubeil encouraged sheep producers to consider other management strategies such as chemical options, but warned withholding periods that apply to those chemicals would need to be taken into consideration.
“Some sheep producers may have alternative crutching options such as the use of handlers or crutching trailers,” he said.
Alternative grazing strategies to manage potential grass seed risks was also an option for producers unable to secure shearing contractors at the optimal time.
“Farmers forward plan under normal circumstances, but it really has become a lot more critical this year, especially in terms of managing shearing and ensuring your farm business is COVIDSafe,” Mr Kubeil said.
Agriculture Victoria’s BESTWOOL/BESTLAMB network and livestock extension and animal health team continue to support the state’s sheep graziers to be proactive, flexible and highly organised to ensure this year’s wool clip goes ahead, factoring in seasonal animal health issues and the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
For further advice about flystrike or seed contamination, contact your local veterinarian, rural merchandise reseller or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
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