- Visual Sheep Scores
- Australian Sheep Breeding Values
- Breech Wrinkle Scoring and Selection
- Fleece Rot Scoring and Selection
- Breeding to Reduce FlyStrike Susceptibility
Visual Sheep Scores, 2007
The key to managing flystrike is to reduce the susceptibility of the flock.
The Visual Sheep Scores, 2007, (MLA & AWI) provides a standard method for assessing and describing a range of visual traits in sheep, including wrinkle and fleece rot. Evaluating the flock using these guidelines is easy and low cost. An assessment of wrinkle score will provide an indication of breech strike risk. For body strike risk, score sheep for fleece rot.
Using Fleece rot scores
Sheep can be scored for fleece rot from 9 months of age. Scoring can be done at classing or shearing, provided there is a minimum of 6 months (or 40 mm) of wool growth to assess.
To score - Open the fleece at a minimum of three sites along the backline and look for evidence of staining and bands of crusting. The highest score across the sites is recorded.
For further information on fleece rot scoring download Fleece Rot Scoring Primefact - NSW I&I (see below).
Visual Scoring
Visual scoring provides an assessment of the susceptibility of the flock for both breech and body strike.
With this information you can;
- develop a breeding objective to improve traits in the future
- develop a selection strategy to implement the breeding objective
- develop a management strategy to control flystrike
The most suitable time to assess sheep for visual traits depends on the trait and the class of sheep.
| Stock | Trait | Most suitable time to assess |
| Lambs | Breech wrinkle | Lamb marking |
| Mulesed sheep | Body and neck wrinkle | Off shears |
| Adult sheep | Fleece rot |
After a period of challenge (e.g. prolonged rain) 6 months of age or older 4 months or more of wool growth |
If ewes are not mulesed it is preferable to delay scoring until an older age as long as this can be done off shears and fit with the overall selection strategy.
When sheep are in the yards use the Visual Sheep Scores, 2007 and Flock Scoring Chart to score wrinkle and/or fleece rot on a random sample of sheep.
- If there are less than 50 sheep – assess the entire mob
- For mobs between 50 and 500 – assess 50 sheep
- For mobs over 500 – assess 10% of the mob
The instructions with the Flock Scoring Chart will assist in calculating the average score of the mob and the distribution of scores in the mob.