Approaching blowfly strike is second nature for sheep farmer, Philly Stacey, who joined the family farm after university to support their flock management.
For Philly, careful planning is essential with over 1,200 North Country Mules on the ground, including 800 main flock breeding ewes and 450 lambs. A third of those lambs are tupped, while the remaining two-thirds are necessary in grazing green areas around Milton Keynes.
As the seasons turn and spring and summer ushers in warmer conditions, the risk of blowfly strike quickly follows. This is when getting ahead of the blowfly risk becomes essential to prevent issues early in the season.
Preventing blowfly strike
Philly’s approach to blowfly control starts early in the season, typically in April, as the aim for her is to have protection in place before the problem begins. Her flock isn’t shorn until early June, meaning Elanco’s CLiKZiN provides crucial cover through that high-risk window. Once shearing is complete, the ewes are treated with CLiK EXTRA to carry them through the summer and into autumn.
Carolyn Hogan, Ruminant Technical Consultant at Elanco, supports this approach by highlighting the biological threat. Blowflies can lay 2,000 to 3,000 eggs in just a few weeks, and as summer progresses, populations surge. Even resilient animals can become vulnerable as the numbers multiply.
Applying protection early in the lifecycle of the fly helps interrupt this cycle and reduces the overall risk across the season.
How to apply CLiKZiN pour on
Philly’s application routine follows the full-stroke method. She starts at the top of the ewes’ neck, applying a consistent fan of product along the spine, repeating this for complete coverage. She finishes with an application up each leg to ensure the product reaches the lanolin, allowing it to spread and remain effective.
This application technique ensures the product performs as intended. By applying the product up the leg, the method ensures it lands on the sheep, rather than on the ground. Philly finds CLiKZiN to be user-friendly, reliable, and long-lasting, providing protection during the critical growth stages of the blowfly, rather than waiting until damage has already occurred.
Acknowledging Philly’s approach, Carolyn Hogan describes the application as a “belt and braces” method which demonstrates how combining timely treatment with correct application can deliver robust, season-long protection.
Managing blowfly strike
Our Animal Health Advisor, John Seabrook, has worked with Philly for several years and credits her success to a preventative mindset. From the outset, she has been proactive in seeking information and solutions. Her focus has always been on prevention rather than reacting to problems after they arise, an approach that John sees as essential for effective animal health management.
For Philly, good flock management is about continuous learning and improvement. She believes that the drive to do things right comes naturally when there's passion behind the work. Like many farmers, she sees the job as an ongoing journey where the more you learn, the better you get.
Blowfly control doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be timely and thorough. Philly Stacey’s system shows how a proactive mindset, structured treatment plan, and attention to detail can make all the difference.
Free expert advice for preventing blowfly strike
Whether you're unsure where to start or just need a few questions answered, feel free to get in touch with our Animal Health Advisors who will be happy to chat through your options and make the process a little easier.
Pop into the store, give us a call, or drop us a message to speak with our team directly. Call 01451 830 400 or email [email protected].
CLiK™ EXTRA contains 65mg/ml dicyclanil. CLiKZiN™ Pour On contains 12.5mg/ml dicyclanil. Legal category: POM-VPS. Information regarding the side effects, precautions, warnings and contra-indications can be found in product packaging and leaflets; further information can also be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics or by contacting Elanco Animal Health on +44 (0)1256 353131, or writing to Elanco UK AH Limited, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook RG27 9XA. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber. Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription only. CLiKZiN, CLiK EXTRA, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). ©2025 Elanco or its affiliates. Date of preparation May 2025. PM-UK-25-0415