2008 News
Last call for clips in 2008
30 June 2008
The ‘last call’ is being made for producers wanting to use clips in their flock this year as a mulesing alternative.
Australian Wool Innovation’s Project Manager - Blowfly Control, Ian Evans, has been receiving expressions of interest (EOI) from growers and is looking to use all available clips this year.
“There is strong interest in using the clips, and growers need to finish lodging their EOI’s as soon as possible. By necessity, it will be a case of ‘first-in first-served’ – and the EOI’s received are being held in order of receipt.
“In fact, the clips have substantial animal welfare benefits and retailers, when reminded of this information, appreciate the situation and most revise their position,” he said.
“I advise producers not to become too concerned over isolated claims that the clips are not acceptable to a few retailers.
“The clips are in their final stages of Product Development and Testing, so production is currently geared to trial and demonstration levels.
“The commercial partner and AWI anticipate having commercially available product next year, and full-scale clip production will occur then.”
Mr Evans says AWI will supply the clips at cost-plus-freight, estimated to be around 35 cents/clip. This cost is expected to reduce in future with higher manufacturing volumes.
“Producers will be able to choose from a list of 35 experienced and trained operators from across Australia to apply the clips.”
For further information, and to obtain an EOI form, interested producers should simply email a request to Ian Evans at: ian.evans@wool.com or visiting www.wool.com.au/2010.
“While some producers intend to use the clips across their lamb drop, many others want to see how the clips perform on their sheep in their production environment.
“We’ll also be conducting more R&D work this year on the bio-degradable clips and analysing different application techniques,” Mr Evans said.