VICTORIA – A new liquid nitrogen procedure aims to eliminate the need for mulesing sheep, while also delivering better growth rates and increased wool production.
The process – dubbed ‘steining’ – has been developed by vet and inventor Dr. John Steinfort and involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze skin around the breech, with minor pain to the animal. It has been in development for the last decade.
This is likely to be welcomed by the fashion industry, in which mulesing has long been a controversial practice, and has led to some brands banning the use of mulesed wool in their products.
