Supported Shift to Non-Mulesing Systems in WA

Summary

To demonstrate that best practice and increase confidence in non-mulesing systems in Western Australia’s high and medium rainfall zones can be successfully transitioned, by supporting producers through the shift, demonstrating best practice and increasing confidence, in order to increase and sustain adoption.

Objectives

By February 2024, in medium to high rainfall zone of Western Australia:

1. Demonstrate the impact of shifting to a non-mulese enterprise on animal husbandry, timing and frequency, as well as management and production across 25 properties:

a) Weaner weights expected to increase by 1kg
b) Wool value expected to increase by 10%
c) Non-mulesed animal price expected to decrease
d) Husbandry costs expected to remain the same, due to increased husbandry but no mulesing cost.

2. Conduct a benefit cost analysis to determine the financial impact of non-mulese systems compared to traditional mulesing systems, while also capturing qualitative data to analyse the social impact and changes required to management.

3. Demonstrate the tools available (such as ParaBoss) to assist shifts to a non-mulese system to the 30 core producers, 250 observer producers, and wider industry, leading to a 60% of core producers and 40% of observer producers moved or intending to move to non-mulese systems.

4. Implement extension activities such as field days and presentations (minimum 4) so that 100% of core and 80% of observer producers have increased their skill, knowledge and confidence in moving to a non-mulese system.

Progress

The supported shift to non-mulesed systems PDS is about to come to an end in WA. The project aimed to demonstrate the impact of shifting to a non-mulesed enterprises on management, production and animal husbandry. With 17 producers formally trialling non-mulesed systems, and over 21 100% non-mulesed producers involved, the project has many observer producers across the state. The six producer groups across the state have experienced very high levels of fly challenge in the past three years, which has been a good way to demonstrate the importance of timely management when running a non-mules flock. The level of challenge weaners and hoggets should be exposed to before culling has been a key area of discussion, while dag control management has been another key focus. There is still concern about discounts on re-sale ewes, and the lack of consistence in securing premiums for non-mulesed wool. Overall, those involved in the project are valuing the qualitative data more highly than the quantitative.