Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Blowfly Strike Real-time Monitoring

New monitoring technologies for blowfly strike risk enable farmers to intervene before infestation becomes established, reducing welfare impact.

Key Facts

Blowfly strike risk models using temperature, humidity, and calendar date guide treatment timing
Electronic fly traps provide real-time fly population data on individual farms
Satellite weather data can predict high-risk periods before flies appear in numbers
Integration of monitoring data with treatment decision tools reduces unnecessary treatments
Early intervention when risk is high prevents the severe suffering of established strike

Welfare Considerations

Blowfly strike causes extreme suffering that can develop rapidly in warm weather. Real-time monitoring allows farmers to shift from calendar-based treatment to evidence-based, targeted prevention that is both more humane and more resource-efficient.

What You Can Do

Support farms using monitoring technology for precision flystrike prevention
Advocate for blowfly risk monitoring as part of sheep welfare standards
Choose wool and lamb from farms demonstrating data-driven parasite management