Event
Natural Preventions & Treatments for Flystrike in Sheep: On-farm Discussion
Overview
Blowfly strike in sheep is a serious condition caused by blowfly larvae (maggots) feeding on sheep flesh. It is a significant welfare and economic problem for sheep farmers, affecting more than 75% of farms in the UK, and is said to cost the sheep industry over £2million per year. Due to climate change the UK is experiencing longer periods of blow fly activity and strike attacks.
During the Innovative Farmers event the trial will be discussed and information provided on how alternative treatments are being used on the trialists’ farms, and how well they are working so far..
Farm Background
The event is kindly hosted by Lynnie Hutchison at Brickpitts Organic Farm, a mixed family farm in East Sussex. The farm produces organic beef and lamb for direct sales to customers and grows arable crops to support these enterprises. They have a Hereford beef suckler herd with two calvings a year and they lamb 150 ewes outside in April, a mix of Suffolk, Texel, and Lleyns. The farm has some permanent pasture and some arable land in rotation with herbal leys.
Speakers include:
- Lynnie Hutchison trial farmer and co-ordinator
- Trial farmers; Mark Goodman, Jack Pritty, Debbie Hopkins, Gala Bailey-Barker
- Chris Aukland MRCVS Holistic Vet, Head of livestock health at Whole Health Agriculture
- Jackie Pearce Dickens CEO Whole Health Agriculture
Agenda
12 noon: meet for drink and light snack
12.45pm: First session
– Introductions to Brickpits Organic Farm, and the farmers in the field lab
– Blow fly species and lava stages, new species heading our way.
– Trial stage 1: Raising vitality and resistance of sheep to parasites- the product and thoughts so far
– Trial stage 2: Natural Spray preventatives – the products and thoughts so far
– Trial stage 3: Natural strike treatments the products and thoughts so far
– Existing research
– Other options being used
1.30pm: discussion and questions
2.00pm: Walk up to see the sheep and discuss the treatments which have been carried out.
3.00pm: Finish
Event address: Brickpits Organic Farm, Ketche’s Lane, Uckfield, TN22 3RX. Please do not use the postcode it will take you to the middle of the farm and neighbour’s house not the yard and meeting point! Please use directions and W3W location: What3words ///reclaim.intrigued.signs
Directions: If entering Ketches lane from the A275 go past the single track road on your right (sliders lane) and take the next gateway marked Brickpits Organic Farm
Waiting list: If the event is booked up please add your name to the waiting list as spaces may become available. If you have a ticket, and find you cannot make the event, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reallocate tickets.
Please note: This event is on-farm. Please bring wear appropriate clothing for all weather and note that the ground may be uneven. Please let us know about any accessibility requirements via the booking form.
