Farm Animals

Sheep Dagging and Flystrike Prevention

Regular dagging removes soiled wool around the breech and is one of the most effective flystrike prevention measures.

Key Facts

Blowfly strike occurs when blowflies lay eggs in soiled wool, and larvae burrow into skin
Dagging removes wool around the tail area contaminated by faeces and urine
Breech strike is the most common form, typically affecting ill-thrifted or scouring sheep
Insecticide treatments provide protection but require correct application timing
Warm humid conditions in late spring and summer create peak flystrike risk periods

Welfare Considerations

Blowfly strike causes severe and rapidly progressive tissue damage, pain and distress. Affected sheep become increasingly debilitated and die without prompt treatment. Prevention through dagging, crutching and targeted insecticide use is more effective and humane than reactive treatment of established strike.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farm assurance schemes that include flystrike prevention standards
Advocate for mandatory recording and reporting of flystrike incidents on farms
Learn to recognise early signs of flystrike - biting at the breech, restlessness, wet patches in wool
Contact the Moredun Research Institute for evidence-based flystrike prevention guidance