The NADIS blowfly forecast suggests that weather conditions across some parts of the UK mean that local flocks may be at MEDIUM RISK of blowfly strike caused by female flies being active and laying eggs.
Carcasses, dirty backends, foot rot lesions and open wounds are all attractive egg laying sites. Strike can develop very quickly, with the first maggots appearing within 12 hours of eggs being laid.
NADIS in conjunction with Elanco Animal Health is sending blowfly alert updates through the season highlighting the risk level for your local (40km squared) area so you can update your farmers.
Professor Richard Wall from Bristol University, said: “Given periods of sustained warm weather in late April and early May, early season strikes might be anticipated in lowland areas of southern England from this time onwards, so strike management should now be in place.
“In more northerly or upland regions, strikes are more likely to start from mid- to late May, but planning should be well underway.”
