The “silver bullet” being discussed – by some – as likely to help resolve the mulesing issue, remains a bit of a mystery to most woolgrowers and many directors of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the organisation developing it.

Last week it was revealed a new technology was soon to be announced.

It has the potential to be a universal alternative to mulesing, although few details have been mentioned.

The injectable compound is commonly used in the food industry according to AWI director, Robyn Clubb, and the project has been managed by a sub committee at AWI involving director, Kevin Bell.

He has been testing the product along with fellow director, Chris Abell, who is also believed to be the inventor of the alternative.

At this week’s Western Australian Merino field days, Dr Bell revealed the mulesing alternative was unlikely to have residue problems and trials would not have to be conducted in that respect.

A promising collagenase injectable mulesing alternative from three years ago failed to meet the strict meat residue limits demanded by authorities and was also marked down because it produced a wet scab.

Dr Bell said from his experience, growers would be more comfortable using injectables than the new mulesing clips and he was confident his product would prevent breech strike.