FlyBoss Resources

Flystrike Risk Simulator (Downloadable)

This is a comprehensive program that allows you to compare two different management systems. It will need to be downloaded with local flystrike data risk files from within 5 kms […]

Testing Flies for Resistance to Flystrike Preventative and Treatment Chemicals

Do you expect to have fly struck sheep this coming season? If so, NSW DPI, in collaboration with AWI, are seeking your involvement in an important research project to investigate […]

Chemical-Use Strategies to Slow the Development of Resistance to Flystrike Preventative Chemicals by Flies

Flies are increasingly becoming resistant to flystrike prevention and treatment chemicals, but there are ways to use products wisely to slow development of resistance in your local fly population. However, […]

Managing Chemical Resistance

Lucilia cuprina, the Australian sheep blowfly, initiates most cases of flystrike on Australian sheep. Like all insect pests, it has the potential to develop resistance to chemical treatments. Resistance is the […]

Insecticide Resistance

The development of insecticide resistance allows individual insects to survive an exposure to insecticide that would kill individuals from a ‘normal’ population. The sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina has developed resistance […]

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) for Sheep and Goats

Safety tips for applying and handling chemicals Beforehand: Always store chemicals in the original containers and make sure the label is intact. Regularly assess containers to ensure no leakage or […]

Treatment of Struck Sheep

The recommended way to treat flystruck sheep: 1. Shear struck wool and a 5 cm barrier of clean wool around the strike close to the skin to remove maggots. Unless […]

Early Season Flystrike Prevention

Early season flystrike prevention is an underutilised strategy that can decrease both the incidence and the overall cost of flystrike, as well as improve sheep welfare. It may also use […]

Choosing the Right Time to Apply Preventative Flystrike Treatments

In the first instance, the need to treat sheep with preventative flystrike chemical products can be greatly reduced or removed by choosing the most suitable times to shear and crutch sheep, implementing worm […]

Dipping

Using a dip to apply flystrike treatments is generally not advisable, whether for prevention or treatment of strike. Cyromazine—the only flystrike chemical registered for use in dips—is suited to prevention […]

Spray-ons for Sheep

There are a range of spray-on products that can be used to protect sheep during periods of high flystrike risk. The table below indicates the advantages and disadvantages of using […]

Automatic Jetting Races

The information below is based extensively on the reports prepared by the late Mr Roger Lund and Mr Peter Kelly, formerly of the NSW Department of Primary Industries Agricultural Engineering […]

Hand Jetting

When the decision has been made that sheep must be treated with insecticide to prevent or control flystrike or louse infestations, woolgrowers must also decide which product to use and […]

Choosing the Right Application Method for Sheep

The most common application methods are hand jetting, automatic jetting races, spray ons and plunge or shower dipping. Dipping should only be regarded as an emergency flystrike treatment. The advantages […]

Jetting

Jetting is a useful tool for applying chemicals to protect sheep during periods of high flystrike risk. It can be done by hand jetting or by using an automatic jetting […]

Ivermectin

Sheep producers will be familiar with drench products containing ivermectin, but there are also ivermectin-based products registered for the control of sheep blowfly and lice. Ivermectin belongs to the macrocyclic […]

Insect Growth Regulators

One attraction of insect growth regulator insecticides (IGRs) is their selective toxicity. IGRs interfere with biochemical pathways that are not present in humans or other mammals. This makes them relatively […]

Organophosphate Insecticides

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides were introduced to the wool industry in the 1950s. One of the disadvantages of OPs is their non-selectivity i.e. OPs affect both insects and mammals. Being old […]

Withholding Periods for Worm, Lice and Fly Treatments for Sheep

Withholding periods are mandatory with all registered veterinary products used to treat sheep for worms, flies or lice. These periods have been developed to indicate when the chemical residue that […]

Choosing the Right Chemical for Sheep

Chemicals can be used strategically to reduce the risk of flystrike. The table below summarises the different classes of chemicals that are available for both preventing and treating flystrike. In […]

Treatment – Sheep

The sheep industry has access to a range of insecticides for prevention and treatment of flystrike. These chemicals are important tools in managing flystrike risk and can be used strategically […]

WoolRes Tool

To estimate the pesticide residue levels cause by lice or flystrike treatments.  Click on WoolRes to start the tool. WoolRes Tool User Guide Select WoolRes to assess the chemical residues in the wool clip based […]

Flystrike Quick Tools (Online)

These are two separate tools that can be quickly used online, but do not include options to select for breeding. Location data is from a nearby weather station and is […]

Flystrike Tools

The Flystrike tools can assist you in developing a Flystrike Calendar that is suitable for your location and your enterprise using historic long-term weather data for your location. FlyBoss Flystrike Risk Simulator (Downloadable) […]

Breech Cover Scoring and Selection

The importance of a bare breech in breech strike was investigated and it was found that it was less important than dags and skin wrinkles. However it does play an […]

Dag Scoring and Selection

The best time to assess dag score in a winter rainfall region is in the spring time prior to hogget shearing when at least 20% of the flock have an […]

Breech Wrinkle Scoring and Selection

There are three major factors contributing to the risk of breech strike. Wrinkle in the breech – increasing the risk of urine and faecal staining as well as providing a […]

Fleece Rot Scoring and Selection

There are a range of factors determining a sheep’s susceptibility to body strike. The main predisposing factors are fleece rot and lumpy wool (dermo), which attract the flies and provide […]

Australian Sheep Breeding Values

Sheep Genetics is the national genetic information and evaluation service for the meat and wool sectors of the sheep industry delivered as LAMBPLAN and MERINOSELECT. The purpose of Sheep Genetics […]

Visual Sheep Scores

The key to managing flystrike is to reduce the susceptibility of the flock. To download the latest version of the Visual Scores Guide click here to be redirected to the […]

Breeding to Reduce Flystrike Susceptibility

It is possible to select and breed your flock for increased flystrike resistance by focussing on the traits that increase the risk of breech strike (wrinkle, dag and breech cover) and […]

Breeding and Selection of Sheep to Lower Flystrike Risk

The goal for all sheep producers is to reduce the impact of flystrike on flock welfare and productivity. For producers who have decided to phase out mulesing, the goal is […]

Learn About Sheep Flystrike Control in Australia

FlyBoss Online Learning is FREE It suits anyone wanting a practical knowledge of sheep flystrike control in Australia. You can learn at your own pace; start and stop anytime. You […]

Online Learning – Resistance Management

This section describes chemical use strategies to slow the development of chemical resistance in flies. Structured reading For those who like to see all the information and simply read through […]

Online Learning – FlyBoss Tools

This section covers the FlyBoss Tools. These are interactive online tools that assist you to when making various flystrike management decisions. Structured reading For those who like to see all […]

Online Learning – Treatment

This section describes chemical options, application methods and safety when applying preventative or treatment products for flystrike. Structured reading For those who like to see all the information and simply […]

Online Learning – Management

This section deals with the management options for controlling flystrike, except for treatment and the use of the FlyBoss Tools, which are in separate sections. Structured reading For those who […]

Online Learning – Breeding and Selection

This section describes the processes for implementing a breeding and selection program that reduces the susceptibility of sheep to flystrike. Structured reading For those who like to see all the […]

Online Learning – Susceptibility

This section describes flies, where they strike and under what conditions. Structured reading For those who like to see all the information and simply read through it in order. Each […]

National Flystrike and Cold Risk Maps

These maps show the Ag360™ predictions for flystrike and extreme weather risk across Australia for the next 5 days. You can gain tailored risk data for your farm through Ag360. […]

National Wool Declaration

The wool supply chain is seeking information on the mulesing status of wool so that customer needs, in terms of product specification can be met. The National Wool Declaration was […]

Making the Transition to a Ceased-Mulesing Flock

Is your flock currently mulesed and you are considering stopping mulesing? If so, don’t just give up mulesing ‘cold turkey’! First, read through the 10 steps below to see what […]

Pain Relief – Frequently Asked Questions

by Geoff Lindon, Australian Wool Innovation (from Beyond the Bale, March 2017) There has been large scale adoption of post-operative pain relief (Tri-Solfen®) during the past ten years. New pre-operative […]

Breech Modification

Mulesing If you plan to continue mulesing in the short term, use an accredited mulesing contractor or undertake training to become an accredited mulesing contractor. If you plan on stopping, […]

Tail Length

Docking the tail to the correct length at lamb marking time is crucial in minimising stain around the breech and reducing flystrike risk throughout the sheep’s life. The recommendation is […]

Worm and Dag Management for Sheep

In areas where dags and scouring occur they can be a greater flystrike risk than wrinkles. As dag score increases, the risk of breech strike increases dramatically. A Dag Score […]

Flystrike Protection – Jetting and Spray on Products

In addition to crutching and shearing times there are a range of chemicals available that can provide increased protection against flystrike. The suite of chemicals available and methods of application […]

Shearing and Crutching

In any district there is a huge variation in shearing dates. Shearing dates are chosen for many reasons: to fit with lambing time have sale sheep ready for particular markets […]

Monitoring for Flystrike

When monitoring for flystrike, the aim is to detect strike as early as possible, and certainly before the toxins produced by the maggots affect the entire sheep (systemic effects). Small […]

Annual Flystrike Management Plans for Sheep

This page guides you through nine steps to follow, and the FlyBoss resources to use, to review your annual flystrike management plan. Each step provides links to more information on […]

FlyBoss Management Options for Sheep

Sheep producers have always used an integrated approach to managing flystrike risk in their flocks. For most, this has involved mulesing, crutching, shearing and jetting at times during the year […]

Seasonal Conditions and Geography

Seasonal conditions The risk of flystrike increases once the temperature is above 17°C, wind speeds are moderate (<30 km per hour) and sheep fleece remains moist from rainfall for a […]

Blowfly Identification

For information on blowfly identification download the following article on the green blowfly Lucilia cuprina and other blowfly species. Blowfly identification – Industry & Investment NSW (325 KB)

Biology of the Blowfly

The Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, initiates over 90% of all flystrike in the Australian flock. Other fly species will strike sheep but only in small numbers and do not […]

Flystrike Risk Adults

This map shows the risk of flystrike for adult sheep across Australia for the next 5 days based on recent and predicted weather conditions. Press play on the map so […]

Other Types of Strike

Poll or head strike This form of strike is mainly a problem of rams, in particular horned rams. Flies lay eggs in fighting wounds, near the base of the horns […]

Body Strike

Research over many years has shown that the most important factor affecting the risk of body strike is the presence of fleece rot. Fleece rot is caused by moisture and […]

Breech Strike

Research over many years has shown that the two most important sheep factors affecting breech strike risk are breech wrinkle and dag. Breech cover is the next most important trait. The Visual […]

Susceptibility for Sheep

There are three factors that determine the risk of flystrike in the flock. Susceptible sheep The most important determinants of breech strike risk are breech wrinkle and dag (in high rainfall […]

Insect Transmitted Parasites

‘Filarial worms’ are long, thin roundworms that as adults are parasites in the blood or tissue of mammals, and as larvae usually develop in biting insects. In Australia buffalo fly is believed to be […]

Onchocercosis

Bovine onchocercosis is an infection with the roundworm Onchocerca. At least three species infect cattle in Australia: O. gibsoni, O. gutturosa and O. lienalis. Onchocerca gibsoni has the greatest economic […]

Stephanofilaria in Cattle

Roundworms from the genus Stephanofilaria are a cause of dermatitis and skin lesions on cattle all over the world. Where the skin lesions occur depends on the species of Stephanofilaria […]

Pinkeye (Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, IBK)

Pinkeye, also known as infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a common, economically important, contagious eye disease of cattle with worldwide distribution. IBK is debilitating and painful for cattle. IBK impacts […]

Other Arboviruses

Arboviruses of interest in Livestock (see also Bovine ephemeral fever, BEF) Virus Vector Host Bluetongue virus (BTV) Primarily the biting midge Culicoides brevitarsis. Other Culicoides species have been shown to […]

Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF)

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), commonly known as three-day sickness, is a disease of cattle and buffaloes, marked by short fever, shivering, lameness and muscular stiffness. Caused by an insect borne […]

Arboviruses in Cattle

A range of insect/arthropod borne viruses (arboviruses) occur in Australia. They are noncontagious viruses and are transmitted by their insect vectors. Climatic factors (rainfall and temperature) determine the distribution of […]

Bushfly

Description The most obvious difference to house flies are the 2 stripes on the thorax instead of 4 (Figure 1). Biology of bushflies The life cycle of the bushfly has […]

Stable Fly in Cattle

Stable flies are found throughout Australia Stable flies feed on blood causing production loss Stable flies are a declared pest in Western Australia Description Length: Adult stable flies are 5-7 […]

House Fly

Description Biology of house flies The life cycle of the house fly has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Each female lays over 500 eggs during her lifetime in […]

March or Horseflies

March flies occur throughout Australia. March flies are usually present all year round but can have strong seasonal spikes in abundance with peaks usually following the wet season. March flies […]

Cattle Blowfly

Screw-worm infestation is a notifiable disease. Any flystrike of cattle in Australia, and particularly in northern Australia should be investigated to rule out screw-worm fly. Any animals with maggots in […]

Signs, Impact and Biology

Mosquitoes Many species of mosquitoes have been shown to feed on cattle (Figure 1). When at epidemic levels, such as following recent rains or in very wet environments, attacks by […]

Buffalo Fly Lesions

Nature of lesions Buffalo fly feeding can lead to the development of lesions that are of significant welfare concern. Lesions can range from small hairless areas to scab encrusted or […]

Distribution and Biology for Cattle

Distribution Buffalo flies are mainly a pest in northern cattle but have been steadily increasing their range southwards (Figure 1). This southerly range expansion is expected to accelerate as the climate warms. Buffalo […]

Impact and Cost

Buffalo flies are a significant cattle pest in northern cattle, estimated to cost the Australian beef and dairy industries approximately $100m annually. If uncontrolled, infestations may reach several thousand flies […]

Buffalo Fly

Description Length: Adult buffalo flies are 3.5 – 4 mm long Thorax: Grey in colour with parallel stripes Abdomen: Brownish grey to black Wings: Spread open at rest Larvae: Mature […]

Professional Service Providers

For assistance with investigating disease, management and treatment of flies or fly-borne diseases, in the first instance contact: Government or private cattle veterinarians. Chemical company technical veterinarians and their state […]

Manage Other Arboviruses

Eradication of arbovirus insect vectors across large areas is not feasible under Australian grazing conditions. However, eradication or suppression of insect vectors in small, selected and well-controlled areas is possible. Strategies to […]

Keep Flies Out

Reduce fly breeding areas Good sanitation is critical in a feedlot fly management plan. It is essential to frequently remove any matter flies breed in, such as wet manure for […]

Counting Fly Numbers in the Environment

Monitoring fly populations on feedlots Fly population monitoring is an important part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Information on the identity of the problem species and population fluctuations […]

Managing Fly Numbers in Feedlots

Flies mostly breed in a few, relatively small areas of the feedlot where there is moist manure, spilt feed, silage, and mixtures of vegetation and feedlot run-off. Fly control should […]

Manage Cattle Surrounds

Major nuisance flies in cattle feedlots The major nuisance flies in Australian feedlots are house flies, stable flies, bushflies and blowflies. These flies vary in their biology and behaviour, resulting […]

Manage Flystrike

Any open wound is susceptible to flystrike. Female blowflies are attracted to these wounds where they lay eggs. These eggs hatch within a few hours and the maggots burrow into the wound […]

Manage Pinkeye

Pinkeye of cattle is also known as infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). The primary cause of contagious pinkeye is thought to be the bacteria, Moraxella bovis. Most studies on how to treat and […]

Manage Mosquitoes and Midges on Cattle

Mosquito and midge management on cattle is difficult to achieve and is generally not warranted. Mosquito control typically requires eliminating or managing standing water to remove their breeding grounds. The […]

Manage Bovine Ephemeral Fever (“three day sickness”)

Diagnosis The diagnosis of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) or “three day sickness” during epidemics is made on the presence of lameness, muscular stiffness, pain, rapid spread of the disease through herds and […]

Breed Cattle for Resistance to Flies

Buffalo fly numbers: There are well documented differences among breeds of cattle in resistance to buffalo flies, with Bos indicus (Zebu type) cattle generally more resistant than Bos taurus (British breed type) cattle. In addition, there […]

Buffalo Fly Traps

Buffalo fly traps provide a non-chemical method of buffalo fly control, suitable for use on organic enterprises or as part of an integrated control program for buffalo flies. Maximum effectiveness […]

Seasonal Distribution of Buffalo Fly

Buffalo flies do not have a special overwintering phase and only survive winter by finding favourable, moist sheltered areas where they are protected from frost. When conditions become suitable again […]

Counting Fly Numbers on Cattle

Threshold buffalo fly numbers for treatment Beef cattle: flies exceed 200 per animal Dairy cattle: 30 flies per cow Monitoring buffalo fly numbers on cattle is important in making appropriate management decisions. […]

Dairy Cattle and House Cows

There are a limited number of cattle parasite control products that can be used for treating cattle which are or may in future be used to produce milk for human […]

Residues and Withholding Periods

Withholding periods are mandatory with all registered veterinary products used to treat food animals for internal and external parasites. These limits are set in Australia to ensure that meat and […]

Dung Beetles

Dung beetles have significant beneficial effects in cattle pastures. By breaking down and burying dung pats (Figure 1) they clear the pasture of dung accumulation, return nutrients to the plant root […]

Environmental Contamination

Toxic chemicals may unintentionally kill aquatic organisms and wildlife. Read and follow product label instructions. Do not allow chemicals to enter water systems. Some chemicals can be particularly toxic to […]

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) for Cattle

General information Understanding the health risks and legal requirements associated with the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals can avoid serious consequences. Always first refer to the label (indications) and […]

Manage Pesticide Resistance for Cattle

Resistance to synthetic pyrethroid pesticides is widespread and often at a high level in buffalo fly populations whereas resistance to organophosphate insecticides is less common and no resistance has yet been found to macrocyclic lactone compounds in […]

Test for Pesticide Resistance in Cattle

Resistance testing consists of exposing buffalo flies to a range of concentrations of insecticide to detect changes in their susceptibility to chemical concentrations outside the normal range seen in non-resistant flies. […]

What is Pesticide Resistance in Cattle?

A genetic trait that allows resistant parasites to survive pesticide treatments. Resistance is heritable, it is passed on from parents to offspring. Resistance to one chemical group does not usually confer resistance […]

Consider other parasites when treating

Products used to control flies will also affect other parasites. Treating flies can cause development of resistance in other parasites. Many fly control products also affect other external parasites and […]

Biological Control of Flies

Naturally occurring parasites and predators of flies are found in manure and other habitats fly larvae grow in. These parasites and predators reduce fly numbers. Biological control agents play an […]

Application of Cattle Products on Premises

All insecticides are poisonous and should be used with caution. Read and understand all use precautions, restrictions, treatment frequency, and other label warnings. Before mixing and applying insecticides, put on […]

Choosing and Using Products for the Premises for Cattle

Chemical sprays only provide temporary relief of flies Carefully select suitable products and application methods Avoid exposing cattle and feed products to insecticides What type of fly do you wish […]

Chemical groups and actives in premises products

List of active constituents and chemical groups that can be used for nuisance fly control in feedlots (compiled February 2018). These products are NOT for direct use on cattle, for […]

Application Methods for Cattle and Sheep

There are a variety of application methods for administering pesticide products to cattle. Each product is formulated to ensure that the application method will transfer the chemical to the correct […]

Backrubbers

In extensive areas where mustering is difficult often the only practical methods of controlling buffalo flies are those that provide long periods of protection, such as insecticidal ear tags, backrubbers or fly […]

Spray

Used to treat most ectoparasites including ticks, lice, buffalo flies and occasionally mites. Some sprays are high volume and require several litres be applied as a full body spray, all […]

Insecticidal Ear Tags

Resistance A parasite population can develop resistance to a chemical through: What is resistance? Pros Cons Safety Everyone working in the rural industry has a ‘duty of care’; a legal […]

Dip

Resistance A parasite population can develop resistance to a chemical through: What is resistance? Pros Cons Safety Everyone working in the rural industry has a ‘duty of care’; a legal […]

Pour-on

Pour-on products are generally applied along the backline of cattle but some products (e.g. Fluazuron) recommend a side pour from the shoulder to the rump (follow the product label instructions). […]

Choosing and Using Products for Cattle

The product you choose to treat flies on cattle depends on the following factors: 1. Fly species By far the majority of products available on the market will be targeted […]

Oxadiazines

What do they treat? √ Premises flies For controlling adult house flies in and around farm buildings, any larvae present are also killed. Note: √ Moderately toxic to fish and […]

Spinosyns

What do they treat? √ Premises flies For controlling adult house flies and stable flies in and around agricultural animal facilities. Note: √ Highly toxic to invertebrates and algae. Dangerous […]

Neonicotinoids

What do they treat? √ Premises flies For controlling premises flies including house flies, bushflies, lesser house flies, and sheep blowflies in animal housing, cattle feedlots, dairies and stables (in […]

Carbamates

What do they treat? √ Premises flies For controlling adult nuisance flies in and around animal facilities. How can they be administered? A variety of application methods for administering pesticide products to […]

Insect Growth Regulators (IGR)

What do they treat? √ Premises flies √ Cattle tick √ Lice When using the product to target a particular parasite, be aware that it will be treating any other […]

Organophosphates (OP)

What do they treat? √ Flies √ Ticks √ Lice When using OPs to target a particular parasite, be aware that they will be treating any other of the above-mentioned […]

Synthetic Pyrethroids and Pyrethrins (SP)

What do they treat? √ Flies √ Ticks √ Lice When using SPs to target a particular parasite, be aware that they will also treat any other of the above-mentioned […]

Chemical Mixtures and Combinations

Multi-active products contain more than one parasitic chemical active responsible for killing parasites. The active ingredients within a multi-active product may target the same, or different parasites. Multi-active products can […]

Macrocyclic Lactones (ML)

What do they treat? √ Roundworm √ Flies √ Ticks √ Lice √ Mites Warning: When using MLs to target a particular parasite, be aware that they will also treat […]

Chemical Groups and Actives for Cattle

Cattle parasite treatments Cattle parasite control requires the use of treatment products for both internal (endo-) and external (ecto-) parasites as part of an integrated parasite management (IPM) program. Products […]

Treat feedlot surrounds – Cattle

Focused use of insecticides Insecticides can help control nuisance fly populations on cattle feedlots or in dairies but they should not be the main control strategy. They should only be […]

Diseases and Conditions Spread by Flies

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), also known as three-day sickness, is an arbovirus primarily spread by the mosquito Culex annulirostris. Always consult your veterinarian on the appropriate course of treatment for cattle affected […]

Other Flies

Stable flies on grazing cattle When to treat Stable flies (Figure 1) are widespread in Australia, but usually reach pest levels only in cattle feedlots and dairies, where they can cause […]

Buffalo Fly

When to treat Buffalo flies are small grey biting flies, similar in appearance to house flies, but about half the size. They have strong biting mouthparts enabling them to feed […]

Dairy Fly Identification Chart

Flies on Grazing Cattle