R&D update
National sheep production survey findings
A new independent study into the practice of mulesing in Australia has revealed that up to 98% of Merino sheep are mulesed and half of all mulesing is carried out by specialist contractors on behalf of sheep producers.
The study involved telephone surveys of 1,700 sheep producers across Australia during February and March 2005. An interim report was released on the completion of 1,290 of the responses.
The findings of the study supported those of the Mackinnon Report, which concluded that the immediate cessation of mulesing would risk the death of up to 3 million sheep in a year where conditions were conducive to flystrike.
AWI provided financial support for the national sheep production survey through the Australian Sheep Industry CRC.