R&D update
New lice-spotting tool not far off
Australian woolgrowers are once again showing their commitment to the well-being of their animals with a hand-held device that can detect the presence of sheep-lice. The innovative lice detector is just months away from completion.
The device works by means of picking up lice proteins through the use of nanotechnology. It is being developed by Australian Wool Innovation, the Commonwealth Scienctific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia.
Nanotechnology is a broad field, but as a general guide it is the science of controlling matter at less than one micrometre, or one millionth of a metre.
“When a shearer shears the sheep’s back he will inevitably pick up some detritus [matter broken away] from the sheep lice,” said Dr Peter Binks from Nanotechnology Victoria, in Australia’s south-east, when describing the new tool.
“We want to be able to immediately sample the shearer’s bucket and say, ‘Look, there are sheep lice within the mob that you are shearing at the moment. It's time for a treatment’.”
The current methods of treatment for sheep lice are both chemical and non-chemical. The new tool is a more effective alternative and results in a better quality fibre.
It is estimated that lice cost the Australian wool industry $125m a year.
This, coupled with Australian Wool Innovation’s goal of phasing out mulesing by 2010 clearly displays the industry’s dedication to the health of its sheep, resulting in better quality Australian Merino wool.
For more information on the Australian wool industry’s research and development achievements, please visit www.merinoinnovation.com.au