Pesticide use and residues on Queensland wool

Prevalence of sheep lice and trends in control practices across Australia - Australian sheep parasite control surveys from 2003 to 2019

The sheep body louse (Bovicola ovis) is a parasite of major economic concern in Australia. This article reports lice incidence and control practices on Australian sheep farms as determined by three cross-sectional surveys of the years 2003, 2011 and 2018. The incidence of live lice detected within a flock was similar across the survey years with a slight decline in 2018 (2003: 20%, 2011: 18.6% and 2018: 13.9%). In an average year, most farmers did not see any direct or indirect evidence of lice infestation (2011: 59.3% and 2018: 69.5%), however, over a five-year period 38.9% (2003), 66.3% (in 2011) and 55.8% (in 2018) reported seeing evidence of lice infestation at least once with significant variation between sheep producing regions in 2011. In an average year, nearly three quarters of respondents treated for lice (2011:73.5% and 2018: 73.3%) with the majority treating immediately following shearing and very few treating sheep with long wool. Even higher percentages treated for lice at least once in the preceding five-year period (2011: 86.2% and 2018: 87.5%). Backliner was the most popular method of chemical application for lice control in sheep off-shears or with short wool (2003: 77%, 2011: 73% and 2018: 74.3%). For long wool treatments, hand jetting declined in popularity from 2003 (64%) to 2011 (54%) and 2018 (8.6%) as backliners became more popular (2003: 36%, 2011: 51% and 2018: 60%). The use of benzoylphenyl urea insect growth regulators (IGR) for off-shears/short wool treatment declined from 2003 (92.8%) to 2011 (51%) and 2018 (2.9%) and were largely replaced by neonicotinoids and spinosad for backliner/spray-on products. The use of organophosphates declined for plunge dipping (2003: 83.8%, 2011: 83% and 2018: 7.7%). Spinosad use for plunge dipping off-shears/short wool increased over the survey years (2003, 0%, 2011: 9% and 2018:46.2%). The use of IGRs declined for backliner application on long wool and were mainly replaced by spinosad in 2011 and 2018. Fewer respondents reported suspected resistance to lice control products in 2018 (8%) compared with 2003 (26%) and 2011 (13%) with most reporting suspected resistance to IGR and synthetic pyrethroids and emerging suspicions of resistance to neonicotinoids in 2018. Resistance to lice control products also reduced in importance as a reason for recurring lice infestations between 2011 (ranked 2nd) and 2018 (ranked 6th). Biosecurity was important to sheep producers with the highest ranked reason for recurring lice infestations being from stray or purchased sheep.

Sheep blowfly strike reduction using a synthetic lure system

The effectiveness of a synthetic lure system to reduce the incidence of blowfly strike in sheep flocks was assessed, using randomised field trials. Four field trials used eight total groups of sheep randomised to treatment (flytrap) or control on two properties in southern Queensland between 1999 and 2001. Treatment consisted of the operation of flytraps in paddocks as per manufacturer's recommendations. All sheep were inspected physically each month for flystrikes. Flytraps were associated with a reduction in flystrike incidence of 38-55%, compared to control sheep. Results confirm that traps are a useful component of a flystrike-control program. The use of fly traps by a substantial proportion of woolgrowers could assist the Australian wool industry to meet targets of reduced pesticides on shorn wool.

A postal survey of blowfly strike occurrence in two Queensland shires

OBJECTIVE

To describe the occurrence of blowfly strike in sheep flocks in two shires located in south-eastern Queensland.

DESIGN

Postal survey of woolgrowers within Stanthorpe and Inglewood shires.

PROCEDURE

Questionnaire posted to woolgrowers in June 1999 seeking information on the monthly occurrence of flystrike and number of sheep at risk.

RESULTS

Incidence of body strike and breech strike between August 1998 and May 1999 was 1.1 and 0.5%, respectively. The highest incidence of body strike and breech strike was reported in lambs (6.1%) and weaner sheep (1.5%), respectively. The seasonality of the incidence of body strike was bimodal (November and February), whereas the seasonality of the incidence of breech strike was unimodal (April). Occurrence of body strike within a 3-month period in flocks located within 40 to 50 km of each other was significantly (P < 0.05) clustered.

CONCLUSION

Body strike appears to be more common than breech strike in the study area, mainly affects lambs and weaners and high-risk periods occur during late spring and autumn. Study results provide valuable information for planning blowfly strike control programs in the area such as timing of management procedures, use of fly traps), and enable the economic impact of flystrike on the industry in this area to be assessed.

Effectiveness of a synthetic lure to reduce blowfly strike incidence: preliminary observations

The effectiveness of a synthetic lure system (Lucitrap) to reduce blowfly strike incidence was assessed in a field trial conducted on two properties located in southern Queensland, Australia. Nine hundred and fifty sheep were randomised to treatment (one or more Lucitrap per 100 sheep) and control paddocks. Sheep were physically inspected for flystrike each month between August 1999 and May 2000. On one property, the risk of flystrike in the control group was 1.86 times (95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.90) greater than that in the treatment group. On the other property, two cases of flystrike were detected in the control group, but no cases were detected in the treatment group. These preliminary observations suggest that the use of Lucitrap can reduce the incidence of blowfly strike by up to about one-half. Blowfly traps have a role in controlling flystrike in circumstances in which sheep are susceptible to flystrike and the likelihood of flystrike occurring is at least moderate. The use of fly traps could assist the Australian wool industry to meet targets of reduced pesticide use.

Surveys to assess the amount of pesticide in wool and the use of pesticides by woolgrowers in Queensland

OBJECTIVE

To measure the amounts of pesticide residue in wool grown in Queensland between 1997 and 1999, and to describe the use of pesticides for the control of lice infestations and blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks.

DESIGN

Pesticide residues were measured in a random sample of wool from Queensland clips offered for sale during 1998 and 1999. Information on pesticide use was obtained from a trace-back postal survey.

PROCEDURE

Samples taken from wool lots were tested for the presence and amount of organophosphorus (OP), synthetic pyrethroid (SP) and insect growth regulator pesticides. A questionnaire seeking information on flock characteristics and pesticide use was sent to the manager of each flock from which a wool sample was tested.

RESULTS

The mean amount of OP and SP residue was 2.0 and 0.8 mg/kg, respectively. Ninety-five and 98% of wool samples contained < 9 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg of OP and SP residues, respectively. The mean amount of cyromazine, diflubenzuron and triflumuron was 12.7, 5.8 and 13.0 mg/kg, respectively. The amounts of OP, cyromazine and triflumuron residues were greater in wool from flocks located in southern Queensland.

CONCLUSION

Most (95%; 95% CI, 92-97%) Queensland wool clips grown between 1997 and 1999 meet the suggested Australian maximum acceptable residue amounts for OP and SP pesticides.

Use of interpolated climatic parameters to predict risk of blowfly-strike in Queensland sheep flocks

The risk of blowfly-strike was investigated in 160 sheep flocks in Queensland, Australia. The association between blowfly-strike--measured by the use of pesticides in response to flystrike reported by flock managers during the period 1994-1997--and interpolated rainfall and temperature data was examined using survival analysis and stepwise regression. The statistical model explaining the most variation in risk of blowfly-strike included average maximum temperature and its second-order polynomial 4 months preceding flystrike. The model was validated using reports of blowfly-strike from 87 flocks during the period 1997-1999 (collected using the same method as for model construction) and interpolated maximum temperature data. Although there was overlap of 95% confidence intervals derived for model coefficients estimated using both construction and validation data sets, false-negative and false-positive misclassification percentages were 33.3 and 53.3%, respectively. False-negative misclassification was greater for flocks located in southern Queensland, and false-positive misclassification was greater for northern Queensland flocks.

Forecasting blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks

The occurrence of blowfly strike between 1993 and 1999, derived from the reported use of pesticides for flystrike control, was investigated in 247 sheep flocks in Queensland, Australia using autoregressive techniques. Although there was a small increase (0. 0016 per year) in flystrike incidence during the study period, this long-term linear trend was not significant (p=0.53). The occurrence of flystrike was best described by an autoregressive model that included flystrike in the previous 2 months: flystrike(t)=0.0170+0. 0392 flystrike(t-1)+0.3589 flystrike(t-2). Flystrike was associated with the southern oscillation index (SOI). The SOI is based on barometric pressure readings and is associated with periods of below- (negative SOI) and above-average (positive SOI) rainfall in northern Australia. Flystrike incidence was significantly (p=0.03) greater in months in which the SOI was positive. The strongest correlation (r=0.33) was found between flystrike incidence and the SOI 2 months previously. Using the SOI, the best-fitting autoregressive model describing flystrike was flystrike(t)=0.0238+0. 3033 flystrike(t-2)+0.0009 SOI(t-2). The incidence of flystrike was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with average monthly radiation (r=0.26), but not with average monthly maximum and minimum temperature, total rainfall, evaporation and vapour pressure. The best-fitting autoregressive model describing flystrike occurrence based on these variables was flystrike(t)=-0.0259+0.3610 flystrike(t-2)+0.0022 radiation(t). Results suggest that a useful early-warning system could be developed based on the correlation between flystrike incidence and the SOI up to 2 months previously. Such attempts to forecast flystrike may assist decision-making by wool producers with respect to flystrike control options, leading to more efficient control of blowfly strike in their industry.

Inspection of wool lots at sales as a diagnostic test for louse infestation

The accuracy of visual inspection of wool lots for lice as a test for louse infestation was estimated using information provided by 178 woolgrowers in Queensland, Australia. The estimated sensitivity of inspection was 36% (95% confidence interval, 19-58%) and the specificity was 95% (95% CI, 88-98%). Accuracy was influenced by timing, after shearing, of pesticide application for louse control and by class of pesticide last applied after shearing. Visual inspection was less sensitive (29%) if pesticides were applied >3 months after shearing and less sensitive (21%) if an insect growth regulator was the class of pesticide last used after shearing. Based on 36% sensitivity, it was estimated that 16 inspections would have to be conducted to reduce the false negative test rate to <20% in the study population. We suggest that visual inspection of wool lots could be used to efficiently monitor the prevalence of louse infestations in Queensland sheep flocks. Positive inspection results are more likely to represent real louse infestations, rather than a false test result, in flocks grazed in the more extensive regions of Queensland.

Time-space clustering of reported blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks

The reported occurrence of blowfly strike in 57 sheep flocks in Queensland, Australia, was investigated for time-space clustering in an exploratory study using Knox's method. Flystrike occurrence peaked in late spring and early summer, with an additional late-autumn peak in southern-Queensland flocks. A total of 1596 case-pairs was examined. Significant clustering (P = 0.07) was only detected for case-pairs occurring within 3 months and 150 km of each other; 164 case-pairs were declared close compared to an expectation of 151. We suggest that factors common to a district (such as rainfall and temperature) are responsible for clustering of flystrike in Queensland.

Prevalence and clustering of louse infestation in Queensland sheep flocks

Information provided by wool growers in Queensland, Australia between 1995 and 1997 was used to assess the prevalence and spatial distribution of louse (Bovicola ovis) infestation in sheep flocks. The estimated prevalence of louse-infested flocks was 40% (95% confidence interval, 35-46%). Although the prevalence of infestation was higher in western regions (41-50%) compared to the south region of Queensland (31%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Significant (P = 0.02) clustering of infested flocks was detected in the south region where two foci were apparent. We conclude that Queensland sheep flocks have a moderate prevalence of louse infestation, and that clustering of infestation is not strong. The control of lice is an industry-wide issue that needs to be addressed by most wool growers in Queensland.