Laser for permanent removal of wool foll

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.

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.

This project provides strong and robust linkage to all standard sire evaluation sites joining for a 2023, 2024 and 2025 drop. Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA) will oversee the operation of up to 8 sire evaluation sites around Australia. All sites are operated independently and produce results that are specific to each site (Site Reports using within flock raw data, sire adjusted means and flock breeding values). In order for sires entered at different sites to be directly compared (Merino Superior Sires and MERINOSELECT), link sires need to be used across the sites.