Annual management steps
to reduce risk of flystrike
- Annual Management Plans
- National Wool Declaration
- Shearing And Crutching
- Flystrike Protection - Jetting and Spray On Products
- Worm and Dag Management
- Tail Length
- Breech Modification
Tail Length
Docking the tail to the correct length at lamb marking time is crucial in minimising stain around the breech and reducing flystrike risk throughout the sheep’s life.
The recommendation is to dock the tail immediately below the third palpable joint or to the tip of the vulva in ewes.
This tail length allows the sheep to lift its tail and channel urine and faeces away from the breech area. It also reduces the risk of cancers from exposure of soft tissue to the sun.
Download the Kondinin Group article on correct tail length below.
Tail Docking
The 'Te Pari Patesco' docking iron cauterises and removes the tail. It is similar to conventional docking irons, but works on a rotating anvil system that extends the skin on the woolly side of the tail, leaving a bare area on the tip of tail. Some producers have found this reduces the amount of dag forming around the tail and breech.
Te Pari Patesco Docking Iron