The Story of Mulesing

Mulesing is a surgical procedure performed on sheep, typically around 4 to 6 weeks of age. It involves the removal of skin from the tail region to create a smooth, wool-free area. The procedure is done to prevent a serious problem for Australian Merino sheep: flystrike.

For years, Merino sheep were bred to have extra skin and wrinkles to increase their wool production. While this led to more wool, it also created skin folds around the sheep's rear. These wrinkles trap moisture, urine, and feces, which creates a perfect breeding ground for blowflies, leading to painful flystrike infestations. Mulesing removes these wrinkles, making the area less hospitable to flies. Pain relief, including a topical gel and an anti-inflammatory injection (NSAID), is administered to the lamb to provide immediate relief that lasts up to 48 hours. Other sheep breeds that are "plainer" and have fewer wrinkles do not have the same issues with flystrike.

There is a growing demand from the fashion industry and consumers for mulesing to end, driven by concerns from animal rights groups like PETA. This has led many Merino breeders to change their breeding objectives.

Breeders are now focusing on creating sheep with less wrinkled or "plainer" skin. They are also breeding for animals that mature earlier so they can be sold before flystrike becomes a major issue. This shift means they are breeding for less wool, but a better meat carcass, creating a more dual-purpose animal.

This move toward better animal welfare aligns with consumer demands and brings the industry closer to a more ethical purpose.