Online Learning – Treatment

• Insect growth regulator (IGR: cyromazine, dicyclanil)
• Spinosyn (spinosad)
• Macrocyclic lactone (ML: ivermectin)
• Synthetic pyrethroid (SP: alpha-cypermethrin)
• Organophosphate (OP: diazinon)

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• The Wool Harvest Interval (WHI)is defined as the time from application of a chemical to when the wool can be harvested to satisfy Australian environmental requirements (also includes crutching).
• The Sheep Rehandling Interval(SRI) is the time between treatment and when wool/sheep can be safely handled without the need for protective clothing.
• The Meat Withholding Period (WHP)is the time from chemical application to when an animal is slaughtered for domestic use.
• The Export Slaughter Interval (ESI)is the time from chemical application to when an animal is slaughtered for export.

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. Read More

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To jet sheep properly the operator must be in the race with the sheep.

As a minimum, they should be wearing waterproof long pants, steel capped gum boots and long sleeve-waterproof gauntlets over overalls. Refer to product labels for specific directions. Read More

The pump must be capable of delivering 700 kPa (100 psi) at the handpiece while still returning enough jetting fluid via the recirculating hose to provide sufficient mixing in the sump. Read More

Installation of an inexpensive pressure gauge fitted in-line at the handpiece provides a convenient way of monitoring pressure at the handpiece. It is impossible to see a gauge at the pump while jetting sheep in the race and the reading may bear no resemblance to the pressure at the handpiece anyway. Read More

There are at least three types of hand jetting wands: a T-bar design, a sickle shaped design and the Dutjet. Each is capable of doing the job but the T-bar and sickle shaped wands have projecting nipples that can snag in the wool. This makes the task more difficult and tires the operator. The T-bar can be manipulated more easily around the horns of merino rams than the other two designs. The sickle-shaped wand can be hung on a fence and the Dutjet is superior for treating long wool sheep. For overall utility the Dutjet is the preferred design. Read More

Thorough jetting of the back of sheep, irrespective of which wand is used, should ensure sufficient fluid is held in the fleece to penetrate to skin level.

The addition of a scourable food dye such as Permicol Blue®, or the use of an indelible pencil can be used to check wetting. If the sheep have been properly jetted, fluid will run around the body and drip from the belly of thoroughly jetted sheep. Proper jetting for body strike protection should provide coverage for the belly, but rams and wethers may require direct treatment of the pizzle area. Read More

• Plumbing size
• Valve type
• Nozzles
• Spray bar orientation
• Spray bar height
• Flow rates
• Spray pressure
• The pump
• Sheep flow

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On the FlyBoss Automatic jetting races page: Read More

Adjustments and checks need to be made as the first few sheep are jetted:

• On an intermittent machine (spray is triggered by each sheep), adjust the triggering arms
• Adjust the longitudinal spray bars
• Check that the areas targeted for treatment are wet. Use an indelible pencil.
• If there is excessive wastage of jetting fluid, the pump pressure may need to be reduced.

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Many of these products can be applied using power-assisted (compressed air or LPG gas cylinder) applicators. This assists with consistent delivery of the selected dose, ensures rapid and reliable refilling of the gun and reduces operator fatigue. For smaller flocks the simple manual squeeze type applicators available offer a cheap and easily portable means of application. It is essential that only applicators approved for particular products are used and calibrated according to directions for the product of choice, before being used on the sheep. Read More

The aim is to achieve total coverage of the areas needing protection (unlike lice backline treatments, flystrike spray-ons do NOT spread and provide protection beyond where they are applied). If two or more bands are applied there should be some overlap. Read More

Some products stipulate dose rates based on bodyweight, whereas dose rates for others are based on wool length. In mobs where sheep vary widely in bodyweight, cost savings, more efficient application and reduced residues might be possible if the mob is drafted into several weight classes. Otherwise, it would be prudent to set the dose to the weight of the heaviest sheep in the mob. Similarly, where dose rate is determined by length of wool growth, similar sheep should be drafted into treatment groups. If this is not feasible for mobs with mixed shearings or where unshorn young sheep vary by more than two months in ages it would be prudent to treat according to the longest wool length. Read More

No. These products are not suitable for the treatment of struck sheep or sheep with soiled crutches. Struck sheep should be drafted off and strikes shorn and treated as recommended with a registered flystrike dressing. Daggy sheep should be lightly crutched to remove faecal material and urine stain prior to treatment. Read More

Beforehand:

• Always store chemicals in the original containers and make sure the label is intact. Regularly assess containers to ensure no leakage or corrosion has occurred.
• Secure the chemicals from unauthorised access and use. Children and visitors not familiar with the hazards of chemicals should not be able to access them.
• Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
• Ensure you understand and have emergency procedures defined. This should include a list of emergency contact telephone numbers such as the Poisons Information Centre (131126), your local doctor and the local fire station.

During use:

• Make sure you are very careful and precise at all times when handling chemicals. Do not cut corners when handling or applying chemicals.
• Always have appropriate clean-up procedures and equipment ready in case any chemical is spilled.
• Use soap, water and a towel to wash off any chemical splashes. Not all chemicals are water based and you may need soap to remove them from your equipment and particularly your skin.
• Be sensible in what you wear when treating sheep for flystrike. Ideally this would include: overalls, waterproof long pants; steel capped gumboots; and, elbow length waterproof gloves. If using products formulated as powders, breathing protection is also recommended.
• When you are handling concentrates, be extra careful of fumes and splash and wear a face shield and breathing protection.

After use:

• After use wash all equipment carefully, dry and store safely.
• Change your clothes when you have finished the chemical work. If you spill a significant volume on your clothes whilst applying chemicals, change clothes immediately.
• Wash your hands and change out of protective clothing before eating, drinking or smoking.

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