SHEEP-FLY INVESTIGATIONS. 
Sheep-Fly Investigations. 
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE. 
Mr. S. P. Fraser, Chairman of the Queensland Special Sheep-fly Committee, has 
forwarded the following report for 1918, signed by Mr. W. G. Brown, State Wool 
and Sheep Expert :— 
In all, twelve specifies on 50 sheep each were tried out, and 107 used as controls 
and quite untreated. These specifics were all more or less poisonous. The 
attached analysis will give the details upon which some conclusions may be 
reached. ‘These details are interesting, as, taken generally, they square with the 
operations at Gindie in a surprising way. Three hundred and sixteen sheep I 
did not see, yet the observations were taken. 
In examining the sheep at shearing time, every animal was closely scrutinized 
by myself. Each mark was taken, and observations made and noted, as follows :— 
Number of sheep, extent of infection, condition of fleece, number originally 
treated, number blown before treatment, number died of causes other than flies, 
number died of direct fly attacks, percentages. 
It was unfortunate that nearly half of the experimental sheep escaped into a 
neighbouring paddock, during the last week before shearing, through the dam 
fence being broken. I could not, therefore, see, personally, all the numbers regis- 
tered shorn. Mr. Taylor, the Entomologist, took that on his hands, and recently 
the whole number of sheep running in the experimental paddock were observed. 
and the notes.on them sent along to your Committee. I have now the complete 
records of all the sheep treated and untreated, which ran in the experimental 
paddocks, sheep which were missing when I was at the shearing. 
All who know anything of the matter, know that sheep dipped or dressed 
with any specific will be struck sooner or later. There is no such thing as a 
preventive against the attack of the fly; yet it is shown certainly that the attack 
on a dipped sheep is not nearly so serious as that on untreated sheep. For 
instance, 107 ewes were left untreated as controls, and 100 ewes were dipped in 
a well-known poisonous dip. The results came out 14 per’ cent. struck originally 
(20 animals) in the latter, 10 of which 20 were dried off before the maggots 
matured. In the controls which were untreated (107), 41 were struck, of which 
16 were shown as having dried off. The percentage of striking in the controls 
was, therefore, 35.6 per cent. These results square approximately with the 
experience of the past five years at Gindie. There is thus shown a distinct 
protection, not only against fly attack, but in the effects of fly attacks. 
Effects on Wool of Poisonous Dips—The general appearance of the wool was 
very good, but, as this applies also to the untreated sheep, too much stress cannot 
be laid on the matter. 
Number Treated.—The number treated was seven hundred and seven (707). Of 
these eleven (11) were known to be dead from various causes, only three (3) 
deaths being attributable to direct fly-attack. Several are still missing, but, no 
doubt, will turn up within a few days. Such analysis credits these sheep as 
being free from fly-attack until their fate is known. 
Number Blown before being Treated.—When the sheep were treated, a number 
showed marks of having been attacked by flies before coming in for treatment. 
These animals were duly noted, and the different marks credited with such. 
Several others died from natural causes, parturition troubles, &e. 
Nett Percentages—The percentages range from 10 per cent. of attacks of all 
kinds up to 88 per cent., the latter result being expected more or less by all who 
dealt with the trials. The great bulk of the specifics, however, were well under 
the average for the whole flock, 26.87 per cent. gross. It must be remembered that 
the above figures are subject to revision and correction, and are given as progres- 
sive until the missing sheep are accounted for. An exhaustive report will then 
be issued. 
The Seasonal Aspect.—Of course, the above trials have one great shortcoming, 
i.e., the season has not been a bad one for flies. This is accounted for, however, 
by the extreme dryness hitherto experienced at Balmally. ‘There is, however, 
sufficient evidence to warrant the further prosecution of experiments in the lines 
of dippings in poison. = 
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