Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Connecting the agrifood innovation community around the world by providing a digital platform and a premier agrifood tech event.

A new method for conducting FECRTs

Internal parasites are ranked the highest costing disease in the Australian sheep industry. Losses in production will continue to rise as sheep worms become more resistant to commonly used chemicals. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) is the standard field test for the diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in sheep. The aim of this study was to compare two FECRTs using a recently invented more sensitive worm egg count chamber, the Mini-FLOTAC, and comparing this with the current method. The new test is expected to result in improved sensitivity, increasing grower adoption of FECRTs.

Project date

1 Dec 2017-30 Jun 2020

Principal investigator

Dr Matt Playford

Project funded by

Multiple industries
Sheep & lamb Wool

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Australian Wool Innovation is a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian …

Multiple industries
Sheep & lamb Wool
  • Location

    Australia

  • Organisation type

    Research funding body

Logo for Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Focus areas

Industries

Sustainabilities

Related research projects

Search all research projects
Logo for Zondii On farm Wool Classing
Multiple industries

Zondii On farm Wool Classing

Using patented scientific technology the project aims to enable producers to scan wool in-shed and detect micron, colour and crimp of the wool, by creating machine learning models accessed by affordable non-connected devices. This project will benefit the producer by providing real time wool test results cheaper and quicker than current laboratory options, allowing more sheep to be tested.
  • Funded by

    Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

  • Project date

    31 May 2022 - 30 Jun 2022

  • Research organisation

    Zondii

Logo for Next generation wool harvesting
Multiple industries

Next generation wool harvesting

This project will explore the potential for developing an alternative to conventional shearing through R&D directed towards a novel approach, based on delivering a product by feed or injection, which creates a weakened zone in the fleece. The fleece can then be removed by unskilled labour or an automated high-throughput system. If successful, this project will revolutionise wool harvesting, by improving wool quality, eliminating shearer injuries, allowing producers to decide harvesting time, harvesting small numbers of sheep and improving sheep welfare.
  • Funded by

    Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

  • Project date

    30 Jun 2022 - 30 Jun 2025

  • Research organisation

    The University of Adelaide (UA)

Logo for Laser for permanent removal of wool foll
Multiple industries

Laser for permanent removal of wool foll

The purpose of this project is to research and develop for adoption alternative technologies for wool follicle removal (lambs 8-12 weeks old) that could apply to mulesing and crutching as well as animal husbandry for the meat industry on older sheep. This project builds on the previous project “Duetto Laser Technology for sheep husbandry” which will validate Laser technology for this application in a controlled lab study.
  • Funded by

    Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

  • Project date

    28 Jun 2022 - 1 Feb 2023

  • Research organisation

    The University of Western Australia (UWA)

Have questions?

Find out how we can help you.

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions on research projects, commercial opportunities, organisations and more. 

Still have questions or have feedback on the site? Please get in touch by completing our enquiry form. 

Frequently asked questions Enquire now