Animal Health

Making More From SheepMaintaining healthy, productive animals for Australian woolgrowers is a foundation of AWI’s long-term strategy.

From uncovering better methods for tackling parasites through to managing plans to counter the threat of exotic diseases, the adoption of new technologies and practices by AWI indicates our commitment to animal health.

Read the Feb/Mar 2007 Battling the Blowfly, a supplement with Beyond the Bale focusing on how AWI is helping develop a range of tools to minimise flystrike in the Australian sheep flock

International Animal Welfare Conference

To be held on the Gold Coast from 31 August to 3 September, the conference will focus national and international attention on Australia’s progress in this area, and highlight major animal management issues currently being debated around the country and around the world.  Click here for more information.


  • Alternatives to mulesing

    AWI is developing alternatives to conventional mulesing for the cost effective control of breech blowfly strike.

    You can find out more about AWI's commitment to 2010 at www.wool.com.au/2010.

  • Parasites

    External and internal parasites continue to constitute the greatest combined threat to profitable wool production.

  • Integrated parasite management

    AWI is developing a best practice method of managing parasites to minimise their impact on productivity and provides WormBoss - an online worm management tool for Australian woolgrowers.

  • Infectious diseases

    Australia’s relative isolation provides a welcome buffer to many of the global diseases affecting sheep. However, AWI is proactively ensuring woolgrower protection into the future by establishing new diagnostic tests and crisis planning should an outbreak occur.

  • Poisoning

    Certain plant species can cause poisoning of livestock in particular conditions. The poisoning is often due to contamination of the plant with an organism such as a fungus or bacterium.

  • Pests Animals

    Feral dogs and foxes maim and kill sheep, AWI has two major projects in dog and fox control.

Overview

AWI continues to be at the forefront of research and development as well as the implementation of means to address the biggest animal health issues that face Australian woolgrowers.

This year saw the evolution of mulesing clips from early test models to pre-commercial prototypes that balance humanitarian and woolgrower productivity needs.

An injectable mulesing alternative is also testing very favourably, recording similar results to clips.

Integrated parasite management strategies that were developed on 22 collaborating farms in various regions of Australia are now available for management guidance in combating parasites.

The WormBoss site continues to provide direction for the control of worms. Over 70 000 users have visited the site this year to receive the best advice on reducing parasites and their resistance to drenches.

 

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