R&D update
Training programs prove a success
A new mulesing training program has commenced in Australia this week (04 August), with the courses proving highly popular among farmers and mulesing contractors. The courses are part of the Australian wool industry’s strategy to further improve its reputation as a world leader in animal welfare standards.
ABC Online reported on the first of a number of national mulesing courses, which was attended by 22 wool growers and mulesing contractors in South Australia this week.
The courses, to be run over four months, are being coordinated by the Livestock Contractors Association and Kondinin Group.
Even though some farmers and mulesing contractors have been mulesing for decades, many were prepared to pay $350 each to take part in the course.
Gordon Godson, the chairman of the Livestock Contractors Association mulesing training committee, told the ABC that the standard of participants after they finished the course was excellent. He also said that the Association was forced to close registrations for the first intake of the course after it quickly became fully subscribed.
The Australian wool industry has earmarked fifteen million dollars (AUD) for research and development to find an effective alternative to mulesing. While internal timings for some of the many research and development projects underway are earlier than 2010, the industry is sticking to the 2010 deadline because of the uncertainties which are inherent in research and development of this kind.