The effect of a drying agent (B26) on wool moisture and blowfly strike.

A drying agent (B26) was applied as a mist to sheep fleece. A reduction of 30 per cent in wool moisture was recorded, which persisted for 10 to 12 weeks. Reapplication of B26 extended the period of dryness, without adding to the reduction of moisture. Treatment using 100 to 200 ml of the drying agent resulted in reduced fleece moisture content for seven days when exposed to wetting by simulated rain. Treated sheep showed a 60 per cent reduction in the number and severity of fleece rot lesions. Diazinon reduced the incidence of natural flystrike by 50 per cent and the drying agent by 75 per cent over a five week period before shearing compared with untreated animals.