Sheep treated with the experimental flystrike prevention treatment Skintraction will be on public display for the first time at the National Merino Show and Sale in Dubbo, New South Wales, this week.
Presently undergoing further trials, the intradermal technology uses sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) to reduce wrinkle and increase the bare area around the breech and tail of the sheep.
Skintraction treated animals will be on show at Dubbo alongside their unmulesed and mulesed siblings. More than 1,000 fine and medium wool Merino lambs across New South Wales have been treated with the intradermal technology to date. The application of SLS involves very little stress for the animal, according to a CSIRO (Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) welfare assessment. The formulation also contains the powerful local antiseptic, benzol alcohol. Together with SLS, it is placed into the skin of treated animals by air pressure using the Pulse Needlefree applicator. The same technology is used to vaccinate US troops in war zones and is commonly used to vaccinate livestock in the USA.

Results so far have been very encouraging, according to Stud Merino Breeders Stuart and David McBurnie of Gilgandra, NSW. “As far as the breech is concerned, I would defy anyone to say this technology is not working. From last year I could see the application on the tail needed some refining and this has now happened with sheep treated this year. It is genuinely encouraging,” said Mr McBurnie.
Australian Wool Innovation is funding research by Cobbett technology into Skintraction, which is one of several possible flystrike prevention alternatives. Clips are now commercially available through Leader Products and ongoing research and development into breeding tools such as Australian Sheep Breeding Values are set to be released in coming weeks after final validation has been completed.

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