115 participants attend Breech Flystrike RD&E Forum
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has delivered its latest update across the significant investment area of breech flystrike research to 115 participants. The Breech Flystrike Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Forum is held every two years to update the research community, animal welfare advocacy groups, industry advisors and woolgrowers on the latest from the research program.
AWI Animal Welfare Advocacy Manager Geoff Lindon said, “the forum is a good opportunity to enable researchers to share ideas on future direction of their studies, while hearing from the welfare groups and woolgrowers about their needs and expectations of the AWI breech flystrike program.”
Fifteen speakers presented the latest technical information on finalised and current projects, addressing sheep breeding and selection, breech modification alternatives, improved management practices, wool industry training and engagement and supply chain engagement. Significant and incremental progress is being reported in all areas, from updated genomic mapping of the sheep blowfly, completion of pain relief research, provision of information to growers in moving to a non-mules enterprise and engagement with retailers.
Presentations from the update will be available after 3rd of August on www.wool.com/flystrikeRnDupdate
Since 2005, more than $30 million has been invested by AWI on measures to combat flystrike as part of a greater long-term investment of more than $60 million in sheep health and welfare measures and it continues to be AWI’s highest on-farm R&D priority.
To hear about the Forum listen to episode 51 of The Yarn podcast and contact AWI for more information.
