| Developing market requirements for producing low residue wool and the latest best-practice principles for identifying and treating external parasites in sheep were key topics at a recent field day for sheep producers at Rosebank Research Station, Longreach.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) industry development officer Guy Newell told woolgrowers that European markets are driving the demand for low residue wool.
“The EU is placing government directives on pollution controls and water quality (for processors and manufacturers), providing tax incentives for ‘green products’ and encouraging the adoption of eco-labels through changes to manufacturing design standards”, Mr Newell said.
Keynote speaker DPI&F senior scientist Dr Peter James reported on Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)-funded research at Rosebank which is assessing the rate at which lice can infest sheep flocks and become an economic problem for producers in western Queensland.
Results from the study are indicating that lice infestation into a previously clean mob will have little economic effect in year one, under western Queensland conditions and a spring shearing scenario.
“Lice build up relatively slowly after a spring shearing due to their increased exposure to light and heat during the summer months. The most rapid growth in lice populations generally occurs within three months prior to shearing and producers probably won’t probably see any negative effects in their wool return until the second shearing, if the infestation is left unchecked,” Dr James said.
Another major finding from the trial is that obvious signs of rubbing, in sheep running on open downs-type country, is an easy and reliable indicator of the presence of sheep lice. This can be confirmed by parting the wool and if any lice are found, all sheep should be treated.
A national research team is incorporating these trial results into a decision support tool, LiceBoss, to be released in the near future on the AWI website to assist producers in deciding how to control external parasite problems while minimising chemical residues in wool and meat products.
Dr James said with diazinon-based dipping chemicals soon becoming unavailable and some convenient backliners experiencing troubles with effectiveness, there is a growing need and possible opportunity to produce low-residue wool.
Leading Sheep is an Australian Wool Innovation project in partnership with the DPI&F and supported by AgForce, which targets the adoption of new technologies and practices to increase the productivity and profitability of the Queensland industry.
For information, contact Guy Newell on 0427 603 241 or 4654 4217 | 
