How to make raw milk reliable for calves
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
Tiny nanoparticles less than a thousandth of a millimetre in size are providing a promising new method to protect sheep against flystrike, according to University of Queensland research.
Senior Research Fellow Dr Peter James from UQ's Centre for Animal Science believes nanotechnology could be part of the solution to a problem that costs the Australian sheep industry AU$73 million a year.
"New methods that can provide longer periods of protection are required to counter the development of resistance to flystrike, insecticides and to support the reduced reliance on mulesing, a surgical technique that has been relied upon over many years," James says.
The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) funded project is designing and testing unique silica nanocapsule particles with surface spikes purpose-built to give prolonged periods of protection against flystrike and lice.
"We've had very promising results during testing with the slow-release formulations giving extended periods of protection in comparisons with more conventional formulations."
James, who heads the project, says the results showed the careful choice of active ingredient can ensure minimal residues or off-target effects for the sheep.
"Nanocapsules offer new, labour-efficient options fro managing flystrike and could also help counter the risk of blowflies developing resistance to treatment," he adds.
"Historically, chemical pesticides have been delivered in relatively large doses to achieve extended protection, but in slow-release formulas doses can be smaller."
James explains that by using nanocapsules, the chemical can either be delivered at steady levels over a prolonged period or designed to release only when needed.
Materials scientist Professor Michael Yu says UQ had patented the silica nanoparticles that feature a hollow cavity and a porous silica shell.
"We've tested a number of designs, but the most promising is a nanoparticle that has whisker-like spikes which cover the outer surface," Yu explains. "These spikes help the capsules 'stick' to either the fleece fibres or to the blowflies."
AWI general manager research Dr Jane Littlejohn has welcomed the research and says nanotechnology had the potential to increase the range of treatment options available to woolgrowers.
The next stage of the research will be to move the study out of the laboratory and test the technology in the field.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…