BLOWFLY strike risk remains severe in Cumbria and is likely to remain high for the next few weeks, according to experts NADIS, in collaboration with Elanco.

The organisations have once again launched the blowfly risk alert to help farmers and prescribers keep up-to-date and stay aware of the blowfly challenge throughout the season.

Elanco encourages farmers and prescribers to report a case of strike on the blowfly tracker to help others be aware of the risk in their local area and across the country.

Professor Richard Wall from Bristol University said: "Despite the cooling temperatures, extremely high blowfly populations and damp conditions mean that strike risk remains severe across the UK and is likely to remain high for the next few weeks. Since treatment applied to ewes after shearing may now be nearing the end of its period of active protection, considerable care is needed to avoid serious cases of strike.Shepherds should remain vigilant for clinical signs, and report them through our website https://alerts.nadis.org.uk"

Whilst average temperatures recorded in July are below average, it should be noted that average temperatures still remained favourable for fluke and snail development on pastures.