A comparison of Mulesed and un-Mulesed sheep in the Western District

The Mules operation practically eliminated fly-strike and the need for jetting in a Merino flock, while in "Comeback" sheep flystrike was considerably reduced and jetting requirements were halved. For both types of sheep crutching time and wool soiling were reduced. Although the operation removes a relatively large area of wool-bearing skin, no reduction in wool weight was recorded. It had little or no effect on liveweight, and at lambing there was no increase in the number of difficult births. HMB..