Elanco Farm Animal Health UK

05/05/2026

For many, lambing is now out of the way, ewes and lambs have been turned out and you’re due some well-earned rest.

But it’s worth keeping that attention to detail for a few more weeks to ensure lambs go on and do well after all the hard work that goes into getting them off to a good start.

Ewes hit a peak in milk production around 3 to 4 weeks after lambing, and at this stage their energy and protein needs are much higher than normal.

Meeting their needs helps keep milk volumes up and supports strong lamb growth. Milking off their backs will not only limit milk supply and lamb growth this year, but also put fertility and lamb numbers at risk for the next cycle.

01/05/2026

I’ve noticed an increase in blowfly activity but when is the best time to apply a preventative treatment?
With changing weather pattens, we’re no longer seeing the typical seasons, meaning blowfly strike risk can be tricky to judge.

It’s a good idea to think about applying a preventative treatment before blowfly activity starts, rather than waiting until later in the season or sticking to your usual application timing.

This may even coincide with when you have ewes and lambs in for handling for other treatments in the spring, helping to cut down on labour.

29/04/2026

Got a lamb with scours? Could it be coccidiosis?

Coccidiosis tends to affect lambs between four and eight weeks of age, and the risk is usually heightened in wet, muddy conditions or when ewes and lambs have been kept inside for prolonged periods.

Symptoms can be subtle at first but if left untreated, it can have a serious impact.

If you suspect coccidiosis, it’s worth speaking to your vet or sheep health advisor who can help advise on the best course of action.

29/04/2026

Now is a good time to prevent your sheep from blowfly strike pre-shearing - particularly as the risk is already high in many parts of the country! 🪰

Busy one today getting through the ewes pre-shearing and giving them a Clikzin treatment 💪🐑

Getting on top of flystrike prevention early is key, and using Clikzin ahead of shearing helps keep them protected as we head into the warmer weather. It’s all about staying one step ahead and keeping the flock in the best shape possible.

Good progress made today—onto the next batch 👍

28/04/2026

With the risk of blowfly strike happening earlier in the season, should I be considering a preventative treatment at a different time to usual?

While it’s tricky to predict how the season will progress, the likelihood of blowfly strike early in the season is increasing and it’s therefore worth considering a spring preventative treatment if you’re not doing so already.

Blowflies multiply quickly and one fly can lay up to 3,000 eggs in a 2-to-4-week period so early intervention is key to reducing the risk of struck sheep.

Applying an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) ahead of shearing will help keep fly numbers down and reduce the risk of blowfly strike.

27/04/2026

Whether lambing is wrapped up, nearly there, or still coming at you from all angles, we know spring is a busy time on sheep farms.

Post-lambing, it’s worth keeping a few basics in the back of your mind to make the most of all the hard work that’s gone into lambing. Here are a few things worth thinking about.

Check them out here 👇

20/04/2026

Did you know that the warning period for blowfly strike is getting shorter? 🪰

Blowflies could be emerging sooner and developing faster than they did in the past due to changing weather patterns, meaning it’s easier than ever to be caught off guard.

It’s therefore worth thinking about blowfly prevention sooner rather than later – especially as the start of the season might arrive earlier than expected.

17/04/2026

Travelling home after two fab days chatting sheep with The Sheep Game and Elanco Farm Animal Health UK

16/04/2026

The lifecycle of Nematodirus worms differs from other common gut worms, as their eggs require a period of cold followed by warmer temperatures to hatch.

The eggs overwinter on pasture grazed by last year’s lambs and when temperatures are above 10°C for long enough a ‘mass-hatch’ can occur, making it very easy to be caught out.

To help keep a close eye on the risk, the SCOPS Nematodirus Hatching Forecast is a handy, free tool to help you judge if and when your lambs might need treatment.

Visit the link in the comments to see the Nematodirus hatching risk in your local area.

15/04/2026

If you’re planning to gather ewes and lambs this month, now could be a good time to apply an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to help protect against blowfly strike.

Although it might feel a little earlier than usual to be considering blowfly strike prevention, the changing weather patterns are causing blowflies to emerge earlier than they used to, increasing the risk of strike well ahead of shearing.

For more advice on pre-shearing blowfly protection, speak to your flock health adviser.

13/04/2026

SCOPS is pleased to announce that from today it will be hosting a Blowfly Emergence Forecast on its website.

This decision support tool will help sheep farmers take a proactive approach to flystrike prevention, providing an early warning, prompting close inspection and preventative strategies.

To further validate and refine the forecast, SCOPS is encouraging farmers, SQPs and vets to report confirmed cases of flystrike using the existing Elanco flystrike reporting system, which records cases by postcode.

Find the forecasts at https://www.scops.org.uk/forecasts/blowfly-forecast/

13/04/2026

If you haven’t turned cattle out to grass yet, it’s worth thinking about fluke and how to keep pasture contamination low.

Adult fluke can be easily carried by animals going out onto fresh grass and once eggs are shed in the dung, pasture contamination can increase.

Testing, and if required treating, ahead of turnout helps you avoid turning out stock with fluke already on board, helping keep pasture cleaner for the rest of the season and reducing the fluke risk later in the year.