Programs designed to replace traditional mulesing with welfare-improved practices – non surgical alternatives:

5. Flystrike prevention clips

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Following several years of AWI-funded research, flystrike prevention clips are the most developed of the non surgical alternatives. They were commercialised by Leader Products in May 2009. (www.leaderproducts.com.au)

The flystrike prevention clips are applied to the loose folds of skin in the breech and on the tail. Clips fuse the skin edges together. There is no open wound at any time during the process. After approximately one week, the clips can be removed to reveal a smooth scar.

The clips have proven successful in reducing breech wrinkle and enlarging the bare area, however they are less effective than mulesing. It is anticipated that clips will be used by farmers in conjunction with other management practices to reduce the incidence of flystrike in flocks.

The total cost is an affordable $A1.40 per lamb. This cost includes the clips and their application by a trained operator. Clips currently on the market are reusable, as lambs can be yarded, and the clips removed for re-use the following season on the next season’s lambs. Otherwise, the clips will drop off in the paddock.

The ideal solution will be a biodegradable clip. Research in this field is continuing and various materials have been trialed. It is hoped a biodegradable clip will be on the market late in 2010.

The University of Melbourne’s director of the Animal Welfare Science Centre (AWSC), Professor Paul Hemsworth, has assessed the animal welfare aspects of breech and tail clips.

The AWSC specialises in studying the behaviour and welfare of farm and companion animals and the influence of human-animal interactions on animal welfare and productivity. The AWSC has conducted two separate studies of mulesed, clipped and no-treatment lambs. The first focused on the behavioural responses, and the second study focused on behavioural, physiological and fitness effects to gain an insight to the welfare aspects of the clips.

According to Professor Hemsworth:

The clip treatment has only a mild impact on the biology of lambs and thus the welfare risks are considered relatively minor.

The research included comparisons of key physiological factors in the stress response such as plasma cortisol and haptoglobin levels, and behavioural and fitness factors such as posture, locomotion, and time spent feeding and lying-down – focusing on the period of time from 24 hours to several weeks following the procedure.

Considerable skill is required to apply clips properly. Leader Products is working closely with the Livestock Contractors Association, the current providers of mulesing training to provide training and expertise in clip application to contractors and owner/operators.

Download the presentation on Field studies of a clip alternative for Breech Flystrike Prevention (3Mb PDF)

For more details regarding the flystrike prevention clips, contact Leader Products on +61 3 9308 2355 or enquiries@leaderproducts.com.au or visit www.leaderproducts.com.au