A Welcome Change

The heatwave currently sweeping across the country is a welcome development to all of us. After what has been two dire months of record rainfall, this sudden bout of sunshine is much needed. Until the weather started to take up a couple of weeks ago, ground in many parts was in terrible condition and grass growth was desperately poor. On some of our land, it is possible to walk without sinking to the ankles for the first time all year. The cattle hardly know themselves!

A Health Warning

Clik Extra is the most powerful product in this range, and will prevent blowfly strike for up to 19 weeks. It contains the same active ingredient as the standard version, and also has a withdrawal period of 40 days. If you want peace of mind about blowfly up to the late autumn, then Clik Extra might be the best choice for ewes and breeding rams around shearing time. An application of Clik Extra in early June will see your sheep covered until early to mid-October. By then, we would usually expect the inclement autumn weather to take care of the blowfly.

And finally there is Clikzin. Clikzin offers a maximum of 8 weeks’ protection against blowfly strike, and has a withdrawal period of 7 days for meat and offal. This makes it the ideal choice for lambs that you want to sell off in August or September, or that are going straight to the factory.

For optimal protection against blowfly strike, the Clik range of products have to be administered with a pour-on applicator gun using the “4 stroke” method. Ideally, when applying according to the 4-stroke method, you should have an assistant to hold the sheep at the head. Then, using your applicator gun, apply Clik as follows:

1) 1/4 sprayed from between the shoulders to middle of back

2) 1/4 sprayed from middle of back to top of animals tail

3) 1/4 sprayed from one side of the animals tail down the crutch

4) 1/4 sprayed from other side of tail down the other crutch

Ectofly and Vector

Other solid choices for preventing blowfly strike are Ectofly and Vector. These are more general-purpose insect repellents, and are used for the treatment and control of ticks, lice and flies. Like Clikzin, they have a 7-day withdrawal period, making them ideal for use on factory lambs. Ectofly and Vector contain the active ingredient Cypermethrin and are effective against flies for up to 8 weeks. They should be applied using a purpose-designed pour-on gun.

Summer Dip

Summer Dip is something of an old reliable and is very popular with farmers. This topical-use dip should be combined with a clean bath for best results. It offers lasting protection against blowfly infestation but has a 35-day withdrawal period for meat. Again, farmers should note that it cannot be used on ewes producing milk for human consumption.