The exhibition will be at the sheep pavilion and will include a detailed report from Australian Wool Innovation (AWI). AWI is the research and development organisation for the wool industry which is funded by woolgrowers with a contribution from the Commonwealth Government.

AWI is funding research into the plastic clips, intradermal injections, bare breech genetics and the genetic make-up of the blowfly, to possibly develop a bio-control of the pest.

On display will be a pen of lambs which have been treated with the plastic clips to show how well this technology is minimising the results of surgical mulesing.

Peter Walsh from Cobelt Technologies will present the “skin traction” technology which is administered through the intradermal (just under the skin, not below the skin) injection of a similar chemical used in humans to treat varicose veins. Some lambs recently treated with the injection may also be on display.

Lee Toohey from Bayer Animal Health with the assistance of Katherine (Nyngan RLPB vet) will present videos and some pictures on the use of the anaesthetic spray, Trisolfen, to provide post-mulesing pain relief.

This is seen as a big step to improve the animal welfare concerns that some people have with current mulesing practices.

This is a “must-see” exhibition for woolgrowers to understand the real facts and familiarise themselves with the management alternatives which will have to be adopted before 2010.