THE journey of New South Wales Pooginook Poll and Merino studs to no breech modification will be outlined in a webinar next week.

The webinar on 24 June will feature stud manager John Sutherland and a number of leading breeder, market and management panellists outlining the process, advantages and implications of the stud’s journey to eliminate mulesing and other forms of breech modification.

In a newsletter to clients this month, Mr Sutherland said the stud is rigorously investing into data collection and DNA genomics, combined with visual assessment, to produce a sheep that delivers profitability.

“With consumer demands continuously driving for better welfare standards, Pooginook is committed to breeding a sheep that requires no breech modification.

“One of the big changes to the stud in 2020 was the move to no breech modification for the poll stud,” he said.

“With the fly season being one of the biggest seen for many years, it was a fantastic opportunity to put our sheep under high fly pressure and test if they could handle it.”

Mr Sutherland said the move has been very positive one.

“Our weaners have handled the high fly pressure extremely well, with minimal issues.

“To help us meet our commitment, we are using DNA technology combined with raw data measurement of the breech wrinkle at marking and 12 months of age,” he said.

Pooginook has also made the decision to move the horned stud to no breech modification in 2021, Mr Sutherland said.

The webinar from 12.30pm next Thursday will be run online via Zoom with panellists answering questions from our moderator David Cussons.

“This is your platform to ask questions and further your insight and understanding of the topic,” Mr Sutherland said.

Key discussion points are expected to be key threats to the wool and meat industry, meat and wool end-consumer demands, experiences in the move to no breech modification, and the breeding and management tools available to help make the move to no breech modification.

Webinar panellists will include Meat & Livestock Australia and sheep breeder Andrew Michael who made the move to no breech modification in his flocks 17 years ago; Schneider Group Australia managing director Tim Marwedel; veterinarian and livestock agronomist, Elanco Animal Health technical services director Rick White; NSW sheep producer Nick Gay, and Mr Sutherland.

Click here to register for the webinar.

If you have any problems with registration, please contact [email protected]