Blowfly strike: The change in temperatures has given rise to cases of flystrike, with problems to date reported mainly in sheep with dirty tail-ends. Where selecting a pour-on or dip product, take care to check withdrawal periods first. Withdrawal dates for pour-on products range from seven to 40 days, while dipping products range in general from two to five weeks.

The period of cover also varies greatly, with dip products treating and providing five to eight weeks’ cover. Pour-on products provide protection ranging from five weeks to a maximum of up to 16 weeks for Clik. However, take note of manufacturer’s guidelines as some pour-on products treat and prevent flystrike, while others only provide protection, meaning lambs with blowfly require treatment.

Where shearing has been delayed due to weather and shearing will not take place for a number of weeks, dagging dirty tail-ends will help reduce flystrike incidence in ewes.

With higher temperatures, some farmers will also place a piece of equipment, such as a roller, tractor trailer, transport box, etc, into a field to encourage ewes to scratch and help reduce the risk of ewes going on their backs. The risk is highest with ewe hoggets or ewes in very good body condition.

Worm burdens: Teagasc BETTER Farm Programme Sheep adviser Ciaran Lynch reports a sharp rise in worm burdens (Strongyles and Nematodirus) on participating farms. The farms are using faecal egg count analysis to monitor worm burdens and identify the need for treatment. There has been a significant rise in egg counts in the last two weeks, likely influenced by an increase in temperatures and lambs consuming higher volumes of grass.

While Nematodirus is less of an issue with aged lambs, due to the development of natural immunity, treatment is being selected that will cover Nematodirus (reduce pasture contamination next spring) and Strongyle species.

Most farms are treating with a product containing a class 2: levamisole, or class 3: macrocyclic lactone. Ciaran reports some variability between farms and regions and in these cases treatment may be delayed until worm counts reach levels that warrant treatment. A recent Irish Farmers Journal article covered worm treatment and faecal egg counts in detail and can be found at www.farmersjournal.ie

Managing grass supplies: The long-term weather forecast is mixed, but even so grass growth is likely to continue to rise in the coming days. Swards are also heading out faster, especially in swards that have received very little fertiliser and growth is slower. Take steps to manage grass supplies. Spreading a small volume of nitrogen, even 10 to 15 units per acre will help to maintain grass quality.

Splitting paddocks temporarily with temporary electric net fencing or three strands of electric wire will also help to manage grass growth better. The aim as lambs consume higher volumes of grass is to maintain high-quality leafy swards.

Avoid forcing ewes and lambs to graze down paddocks with a significant level of stem at the base of the sward as this will limit performance and hit fat cover. Forward creep-grazing, topping or grazing dry ewes/hoggets after ewes and lambs, will help improve quality of regrowths.