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Mulesing Stops At DPI Research Farms

The Department of Primary Industries has stopped mulesing sheep on its research farms and begun introducing alternative non-surgical methods to combat deadly flystrike in the flocks.

By Department of Primary Industries - 21st July 2008 - Back to News

Executive Director, Future Farming Systems Research, Ron Prestidge, says the wool industry has set 2010 as the target date for ending the surgical mulesing of Australian sheep.

"However, we have decided flocks owned by DPI will no longer be mulesed," Dr Prestidge said.

"DPI is taking a leadership role by developing and implementing strategies to combat flystrike without the use of surgical mulesing on its research farms.

"The researchers will use the best combination of a range of techniques including selective breeding programs, possible chemical applications, more intensive monitoring of flocks, fly traps, plastic clips and better control of scouring, crutching and shearing.

"Environmental variations across the state, such as higher rainfall and warmer temperatures will influence the combination of techniques used and different breeds of sheep will also need parasite management programs tailored to the breed."

Mulesing involves cutting away skin from the breech area of the sheep to prevent flystrike, a painful and sometimes fatal condition where blowflies lay their eggs deep in the wool.

"There are 5,900 breeding ewes on our research stations at Hamilton, Rutherglen and Werribee," Dr Prestidge said.

"All three research farms have been testing alternatives and the mulesing has stopped altogether at Hamilton, the only DPI farm where it has been in use.

"Each of the farms will develop flystrike prevention and management program that is tailored to specific sheep enterprises at each location.

"Some areas are more prone to flystrike than others but a recent survey indicates 11.5% of Australian wool is now available from non-mulesed sheep and 32% of lambs born this year will not be mulesed."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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