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Introduction MAGiK® is an easy-to-use, water-based spray-on product for the prevention of blowfly strike and control and treatment of sheep body (biting) lice (Bovicola ovis). It must be applied off shears or within 7 days after shearing. MAGiK® contains dicyclanil, the active ingredient of CLiK® and diflubenzuron, both potent insect growth regulators (IGR's). Dicyclanil and diflubenzuron both disrupt the life cycle of blowflies, while diflubenzuron also controls sheep lice. This unique product, some may say "magic" product, provides long-term (18-24 weeks) prevention of blowfly strike and control of sheep lice. |
Benefits Summary MAGiK provides unsurpassed long-term prevention against blowfly strike and control and treatment of sheep lice. It can be applied off shears or within 7 days after shearing. this means:
MAGiK offers producers the convenience of ready-to-use spray-on technology. This means:
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Formulation MAGiK is a blue, ready-to-use suspo-emulsion containing 5% w/v dicyclanil and 1.5% w/v diflubenzuron. Dicyclanil is a pyrimidine-derived IGR, which is specifically used in veterinary medicine for the prevention of flystrike. Diflubenzuron is a benzoyl phenyl urea (another IGR) of low mammalian toxicity that prevents the ongoing development of nymphal lice. The suspending liquid is largely water and this contributes to the safety of MAGiK for the sheep and those applying the product. MAGiK contains a scourable, short-lived blue dye that helps identify treated sheep. |
How MAGiK works? As IGR's, dicyclanil and diflubenzuron have no direct effect on adult flies. When sheep are treated with MAGiK, the blowflies will lay their eggs and these will hatch as usual. The first instar larvae, feeding on wool and skin scraps, will not cause any damage but will ingest enough active to be unable to moult to the next stage. Thus the sheep will be protected from second and third instar larvae, which are responsible for the resulting damage incurred by the animal. The dual action of dicyclanil and diflubenzuron should also be considered as a mechanism to delay the onset of resistance to each active. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that dicyclanil will control diflubenzuron resistant blowflies. No known resistance by blowflies to dicyclanil has been reported worldwide. Diflubenzuron is also the lousicide component of MAGiK. Diflubenzuron controls lice, including lice resistant to pyrethroids. As a chitin synthesis inhibitor, it largely prevents the ongoing development of nymphal lice. |
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Dosage and application MAGiK provides an easy and convenient way to protect sheep from flystrike and lice. MAGiK is compatible with several guns from Australia and New Zealand. Guns tested and approved include: the SimcroTech 15 mL Fan Spray applicator, Genesis Pow'r-Doser, Genesis V-Grip, Genesis High Flow 30 mL spray doser and the NJ Phillips PAD28 20 mL Variable Doser. MAGiK can be applied through most standard spray-on applicators, including those pressured by either compressed air or LPG. However, before using an alternative gun, please check its suitability with Novartis Animal Health. Poor application techniques will result in reduced periods of protection. Applicator guns should be calibrated before use. The applicator gun should be held 20-25 cm above the sheep during the application of MAGiK.This is necessary to achieve a minimum 15 cm wide band at each pass with the objective being to ensure total coverage of the areas to be protected (Figure 1). MAGiK is applied as a spray-on. It is applied as two bands over the back and a third over the breech. All three bands are of equal volume. The first band applied over the back commences between the ears and ends approximately one third of the way down the back. The second band slightly overlaps the first and ends just above the tail. The breech band slightly overlaps the second band above the tail. The band over the neck provides good coverage of that area but increases in width to 15-20 cm over the shoulders. Other bands are about 15-20 cm in width (depending on the size of sheep). MAGiK has not been evaluated as a flystrike dressing and should therefore not be used for this purpose. MAGiK has been developed to be as rainfast as possible. Light rain soon after treatment, or application to damp sheep will not affect efficacy. Up to 25 mm of rain, 24 hours after treatment will not affect louse control. However, heavier rain may affect efficacy to some extent, as it will with all sheep ectoparasiticides. |
 Figure 1 |
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After care use After use, dosing guns should be flushed out with warm, soapy water and then rinsed with clean water. Once cleaned, dosing guns should be stored with an appropriate lubricant dispersed inside the chamber. Do not use any guns that are normally used for oral drenching of sheep for internal parasite control. Ensure that MAGiK is stored in its original container. Efficacy Numerous controlled pen studies and three large scale field efficacy studies have been completed with MAGiK. The approved registration supports the off-shears blowfly and body louse control and treatment claims. |
Packaging MAGiK is available in a 5L backpack and a 20 L twin necked container. Safety Profile Summary During the development of MAGiK in Australia, over 20,000 sheep were treated as part of the numerous studies conducted. There were no adverse events reported. Mammalian safety The safety of the active ingredients in MAGiK to mammals has been investigated in depth. MAGiK is rated as a product of low acute toxicity and is unlikely to present a hazard to those exposed to it during normal use (e.g. farmers, shearer's). The formulation is slightly irritating to the skin and eyes. Use of gloves when applying the product is recommended. Safety in sheep MAGiK is well tolerated by sheep and offers a safety margin of at least five times the maximum recommended dose. In a target animal safety study, sheep were treated at up to five times the maximum recommended dose and no adverse reactions were noted. When applied at the recommended dose, MAGiK has no adverse effects on processed sheep skins. In field studies, no adverse reactions were reported when MAGiK was applied concurrently with various oral anthelmintic formulations or clostridial vaccines. Ecotoxicology MAGiK is a spray-on .Therefore there is no surplus dipwash to dispose of. Thus the risk of environmental pollution is minimised. MAGiK shows a favourable environmental profile and the active ingredients are unlikely to accumulate in the environment. Due to the aquatic toxicity of the active ingredients, care must be taken not to contaminate dams, waterways or drains with the product or used containers. The 20 L container is eligible for recycling under the drumMUSTER scheme. The available data suggest that significant contamination of the local environment by dicyclanil or diflubenzuron is unlikely when used as a spray-on. |
| Contact CRT Kyneton or CRT Seymour |
©Steve Cselka 2006 - 2011 |
