New blowfly control project manager
Ian Evans has been appointed as AWI’s new project manager for blowfly control. The control program includes important research for AWI to deliver viable alternatives to conventional mulesing before 2010.
AWI general manager for wool production Ian Rogan says Mr Evans has a strong history within the wool industry, working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for the past 16 years. “I’m very pleased Ian is joining AWI,” Mr Rogan says. “He has invaluable experience gained through many years as the district livestock officer for sheep and wool in the Riverina region of NSW with the DPI.
“For the past five years he has also been the NSW sheep ectoparasite-control coordinator, so his knowledge of production systems is second to none. As an accredited muleser, he also has hands-on experience that makes him ideal for this position with AWI.”
Mr Evans worked with the Livestock Contractors Association to develop a training program that now sits behind the National Mulesing Assurance Program (NMAP). He is the author of the training manual for NMAP.
“I completed the accreditation program for mulesing because I wanted to know about the process involved in getting people to industry best-practice standards,” Mr Evans says. “As one of the few scientists who is also an accredited muleser, this experience was invaluable for writing the NMAP training manual.
“I’m committed to finding viable alternatives to mulesing. I have no illusions about how much work this will involve, but it’s the equivalent of a gold medal for the industry. We will find something as effective as conventional mulesing.”
Image: Ian Evans
Return to Beyond the Bale Issue 29 index page.