1 May 2001

Media Release
Rural Media & Farm Pages Daily Media

Six-legged critter control

WoolPro has republished the popular booklet Fly and Lice, Numbering Their Days.

First published in 1997 along with a video on flystrike control, it has now been fully-revised, with a greater emphasis on the use of modern jetting races for off-shears lice control.

“Four years ago, the Aussie fly was the biggest worry for growers. It’s still an evil little critter, but most farmers have adapted their management to keep it under reasonable control,” says WoolPro general manager Richard Gardner.

“In contrast, lice are proving to be a real problem, especially in the South Island high country.

“Because of the need to keep residues down, growers have been relying solely on off-shears backline treatments for lice control – and in many cases the dips they’re using aren’t producing adequate results.

“Fly and Lice, Numbering Their Days should be a great help. It includes the best information we could lay our hands on about the prevention and control of flystrike and lice – while minimising chemical residues in the fleece.”

The booklet has been distributed to veterinarians and farm consultants, as well as Merino and mid-micron growers. Copies are free to all wool growers on request.

Mr Gardner says markets want ever-lower residue levels in wool. At the same time, farmers have access to a shrinking range of chemicals which can be relied on to give proper protection to their flocks.

“We are aware that some farmers are frustrated by their inability to manage these conflicting pressures,” he observes.

“WoolPro hasn’t got all the answers, no-one does, and in the end it will be up to farmers and their advisers to apply the information in the booklet in a way that best suits the circumstances of individual farms.”

WoolPro recommends that growers take an Integrated Pest Management approach to fly and lice control – one in which they become progressively less reliant on the use of chemical dips.

Farmers wanting a copy of the 52-page booklet, or an estimate of how much residue their fly and lice control programme is leaving in their wool, should ring WoolPro freephone 0800 496 657.

[ends]

For more information, please contact

Stuart Edwards, senior environmental toxicologist
WoolPro, Christchurch
Freephone 0800 496 657