R&D update
Bacterium battles blowflies
A bacterium that disrupts insect reproduction by killing males, turning them into females or rendering a population asexual is the latest weapon proposed to tackle blowfly strike in the Australian sheep flock.
Australian Wool Innovation Ltd post-doctoral fellow Dr Andrew Weeks, from the University of Melbourne, is looking into whether a bacterium could be used to sterilise male blowflies or be used to transport a debilitating gene into the population.
"At the moment we’re gathering all the information we can on the bacterium called Wolbachia.
“We could use it to sterilise the male population. However, in the longer term it could be used to transport a debilitating gene to the blowfly population," said Dr Weeks.
Advanced research into locating such a gene could mean the second scenario would be possible in about five years’ time.
"Mulesing and other options are coping mechanisms for fly strike but not solutions. This work gets to the actual heart of the problem," Dr Weeks said.
Animal health is a priority for Australian woolgrowers and a major area for R&D investment.
“AWI is injecting more than $6 million each year into its Animal Health and Welfare Program with the aim to make the national Merino sheep flock healthier and to ensure a high standard of animal welfare,” concluded AWI Project Manager for Animal Health and Welfare, Dr Scott Williams.
Furthermore, since 2004, AWI has provided $3.8 million in scholarships to postgraduate researchers and undergraduate students to enhance research, development and innovation in the Australian wool industry.
The AWI ‘Scholarship & Studentship Program’ provides opportunities for students and researchers who are working in, or aspiring to, a career in the wool industry. To date, about 100 students have benefited from the program.