R&D update
Injectable mulesing alternative gathers interest
The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce has began a nationwide program of woolgrower meetings to brief growers on the progress towards the phase-out date for conventional mulesing.
Titled "Road to 2010", the meetings are supported by Australian Wool Innovation. The latest research information is presented to growers on two likely replacements for the current husbandry procedure which provides life-time protection against blowfly strike in the breech area.
Woolgrower interest in mulesing alternatives, especially the intradermal injectable, has gathered momentum.
AWI’s manager of Blowfly Control, Jules Dorrian spoke at seminars across Australia last week, showcasing initiatives being introduced by the industry to phase-out mulesing by 2010 to better the health of its sheep.
Mulesing is the surgical removal of the skin around the breech (backside), increasing the natural bare area and moving woolly skin away from the staining areas therefore reducing the likelihood of infestation of blowflies.
Blowflys can lead to flystrike and potentially kill the sheep.
AWI’s clip and intradermal (within the skin) technology are leading the industry towards the phase-out.
“Growers are asking plenty of questions about both the clips and the injectable, together with the decision to phase-out mulesing,” Ms Dorrian said.
The injectable works by applying an antiseptic-based formulation through a needle-less applicator that delivers an accurate dose one millimetre into the skin.
The intradermal product causes the treated areas of skin to die, form a scab and then fall off. The skin under the scab then pulls together, creating stretch to the natural bare area of the breech and tail regions.
For more information on AWI’s initiatives to phase out mulesing by 2010, please visit www.wool.com.au