Taking the Numnuts, pain free castration device, to market
Did you know NUMNUTS is a device to alleviate pain associated with castration and tail docking in lambs?
| Project start date: | 01 January 2018 |
| Project end date: | 30 June 2019 |
| Publication date: | 08 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Download Report
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Summary
Castration and tail docking are important husbandry procedures for sheep in Australia; however, the current rubber constrictor rings cause young lambs pain and discomfort. There has been growing pressure from consumers on animal welfare which potentially risks the industry’s social license. Previous project phases have developed the NUMNUTS device, a ring that simultaneously applies a local anaesthetic. This project followed this work on design development, refinement, and production to make NUMNUTS viable for commercial release. This involved trialling prototype devices, producing the injection moulds, and building relationships with partners regarding the manufacture, anaesthetic supply and anaesthetic distribution. Furthermore, drug labelling, regulation and packaging were finalised to meet regulatory standards.
The outcome was a practical and effective device, able to be produced in high volume and used in a field environment. The NUMNUTS device will permit Australian farmers to stay ahead of changes in consumer behaviour and legislative pressures concerning animal welfare practices and meet changing market demands.
Objectives
This project had two main areas of work:
• Design development, refinement and production- production of applicator and injection mould tools, leading to ‘alpha samples’ production and testing. The applicator, including the injector and pain relief cartridge, was refined and designed for manufacture, then the first ‘alpha’ batch of NUMNUTS Ring Applicators was produced.
• Drug labelling, regulation and packaging- simple packaging, labelling and branding to improve product understanding, driving adoption. Selection of a pharmaceutical manufacturer and approval obtained.
Key findings
Numnuts has developed a unique approach to the simultaneous application of ‘Elastrator’ rings and local anaesthetic for tail docking and castration of lambs. The present project has taken the prototype device through a series of engineering and manufacturing development and reliability testing stages to make Numnuts viable for commercial release. The Numnuts device is now ready for introduction to the market and has been licensed for delivery.
Benefits to industry
With increasing focus on animal welfare, the industry will benefit from anticipating potential changes in consumer behaviours and legislation to meet changing market demands.
Future research
Additional to the planned large-scale farm trials, several other avenues of further R&D could be explored moving forward: -
• Animal trials to investigate if the volume of NumOcaine used affects the efficacy of pain relief (i.e. if a lesser volume can achieve similar effects to the currently recommended volume). Reductions in the amount of anaesthesia used would increase value for the red meat industry.
• Pursue the development path for the use of Numnuts in cattle and other species and undertake the associated animal trials
• The use of Numnuts to deliver a 2-in-1 drug product, for example, anaesthetic combined with an NSAID or anaesthetic combined with a vaccine
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Anna Fabrikanov |
