At the latest Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Breech Strike Research and Development Technical Update, overviews of recent field trials were presented across various projects.
While still in a research and development phase, SkinTraction being developed by Cobbett Technologies and AWI is showing some encouraging results for both breech modification and welfare. Trials over the last four years have determined the preferred application volumes and pressures and animal husbandry procedures.
The technology involves a needle-less intradermal treatment of sodium lauryl sulphate, an additive currently widely used in toothpaste, shampoo and lotions.
A series of six trials using these preferred procedures is taking place and results from the first three trials were presented at the recent Technical Update. The remaining three trials will be assessed in the next four months.
Results from the first three trails show that “When sheep are treated according to the recently determined treatment protocol then a significant reduction in wrinkle and an increase in breech bare area can be achieved with minimal stress on the animal,” Cobbett’s Peter St Vincent Welsh added.. The wrinkle reduction can be equivalent to mulesing however the increase in bare area is part way between mulesed and unmulesed.
AWI is a not-for-profit company owned by over 29,000 Australian woolgrowers. AWI invests in research, development, innovation and marketing along the global supply chain for Australian wool.
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)