A benefit-cost analysis of the mules operation to the Australian sheep flock

This paper reports a benefit-cost analysis of the value of mulesing to Australian sheep producers. It was estimated that the average Australian sheep producer receives a benefit of approximately $1.84 per sheep each year from mulesing their lambs. If flocks did not routinely mules their lambs, it was predicted that they would need a significant increase in on-farm labour. The high cost of this labour would necessitate the use of alternative preventative measures, mainly chemical treatments, to prevent flystrike. This would significantly increase the total chemical residue load in the Australian wool clip.