Mulesing – A Review of Alternatives Researched in 2011-2012

Breech-strike is one of the most significant health problems of sheep populations in Australia, costing the wool industry approximately $280 million annually and resulting in significant illness and sometimes death (Lepherd et al., 2011). The practice of surgical mulesing to remove skin folds adjacent to the perineum and tail is a preventative measure against breech-strike, but it raises welfare concerns due to wound severity and the pain inflicted. For these reasons, finding alternatives to this method has been a high priority in research. Finding long-term solutions to breech-strike, such as a breeding for naturally occurring bare skin around the breech, is imperative (Scobie et al., 1999). However, until this is achieved, it is vital that we assess the welfare implications of currently emerging mulesing alternatives. These emerging techniques are explored in three recent studies, which each assess, by different methods, the welfare implications of traditional mulesing versus two new alternative practices: occlusive clips and intradermal treatments.