NZ518434A - Elastic fleece retaining net to retain fleece from beast removed with de-fleecing agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The elastic fleece fits over a beast, typically a sheep, with head, arms and legs fitting through open ends. It is used, typically, with a biological de-fleecing agent being applied, and the net then being removed after a sufficient time. The fleece is then retained with the net.

Description

51843 4 TITLE: WOOL HARVESTING SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS The present invention relates to a wool harvesting system for the harvesting of wool from many kinds of animal including, but not limited to sheep, as well as methods of further processing and/or treatment which can be applied in association with the system. The invention 5 particularly relates to a net for use during animal defleecing, as well as a method of defleecing using that net.

In this specification "wool" applies on the one hand specifically to wool of a sheep and, on the other hand, more generally to the hair of animals susceptible to defleecing or dehairing by the use of EGF and like "biological defleecing" agents or substances. Such other animals can 10 include alpacas, goats, rabbits and the like.

In this specification the following terms are to be given the meanings defined below: "Beast" refers to any animal capable of having its hair removed by use of a defleecing agent and can include sheep, alpacas, rabbits and goats.

"Sheep" refers to a sheep of any age or condition and includes a lamb, a wether, 15 a ewe and a ram.

"Carcass" is the body of the sheep after slaughter.

"Substantially depilated" refers to a condition of the skin of the sheep or carcass being a condition where substantially all of the wool fibre coat has been removed.

"Biological defleecing" refers to a process which includes the administration of a 20 material, whether natural or synthesised or a combination thereof, to a sheep or beast which induces a transient inhibition of the cellular activities of the wool follicle sufficient to cause the disruption to one or more of the processes involved in the formation of the wool fibre such that the wool fibres are weakened at least one point to the extent that separation occurs spontaneously or with the application of minimal force.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION It is known that the administration of a biological defleecing agent such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) to fleece bearing animals induces fibre weakness whereby within a few days of treatment the fleeces can be easily removed from the animal.

IPONZ 1 "3 JUNPflfN W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc w WM ■r 0 20 A net is used to retain the fleece on the animal during the days of treatment to prevent the fleece from falling off the animal in the field or paddock and to simplify removal and recovery of the fleece from the animal.

Australian Patent No. AU.A.40926/96 describes nets made from polyethylene or polyester in a design that consists of one piece of net for the body structure together with leg pieces which are manufactured in tubes and attached to the net. This arrangement restricts the movement of the sheep and a considerable quantity of wool can be lost from the net. The main areas of wool loss are from the neck, the bottom of the legs and between the back legs. In addition, wool quality is compromised due to the cotting of wool from pressure point on the net.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to one aspect, the present invention provides a fleece retention net for use in de-fleecing a beast, the net including tubing composed of elasticised netting material and having open opposite ends, the tubing being expandable for receiving the body of the beast therein with the head and tail of the beast being received through the respective open ends thereof, and the tubing having holes for receiving legs of the beast therethrough so as to fit the net to the beast, the fitted net acting to retain fleece on the body of the beast.

Preferably, the tubing is a length of elasticised medical tubing.

Preferably, the tubing holes are cut in the tubing.

Preferably, the tubing is cylindrical shaped.

In one preferred form, the netting material has apertures that adopt a substantially narrowed dimension when tension is applied in one direction to the tubing, and a substantially open condition when tension is applied in a direction substantially transverse to the one direction.

In one preferred form, the netting material includes a plurality of strands extending in a first direction and a plurality extending in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction, each of the plurality of strands in the first direction being substantially continuous strands and the plurality of strands in the second direction arranged such that strands extending in the second direction from one to an adjacent continuous strand are not in alignment with the strands extending in the second direction from the adjacent to a next adjacent continuous strand. 2 IPONZ W:\kate\WORK\NZ121Q5-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc _ ~ .. 3 JUN 2003 51 4 0 20 In one preferred form, a pizzle ring is attached to the tubing to accommodate the pizzle of the beast.

In one preferred form, the beast is a sheep, whilst in another preferred form the beast is a lamb.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of defleecing a beast following administration to the beast of an effective amount of biological defleecing agent sufficient to produce weakening and/or separation from the beast of substantially all of the fibres comprising the coat of the beast over a predetermined period of time, the method including the steps of: a) applying a retention net as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 over the coat on the body of the beast; b) leaving the retention net in place during a predetermined period of time; c) removing the retention net after the predetermined period whereby a substantial and homogenous portion of the coat of the beast comes away from the beast with the net; and d) separating the coat from the net.

Current practice in relation to known biological wool harvesting methods has been to place a net onto the animal for a period of 28 days. This is to allow substantial regrowth of wool to protect the animal from environmental stresses such as cold and UV radiation following fleece removal.

The problem associated with a net worn by the animal and having a fleece which is not attached is the potential for the fleece to cot over time.

The method discussed here preferably removes the wool at 12-21 days to avoid the potential for cotting and providing the sheep with protection from the environment by using a protective coat.

The process preferably includes the step of application of a protective coat to the sheep immediately subsequent to step c.

Preferably the protective coat remains applied to said sheep until sufficient wool has regrown to provide the sheep with its own protection.

Preferably the protective coat is constructed from sacking. IPONZ 3 3 JUN 2003 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc 5184 3 4 Preferably, the step of applying the retention net includes stretching and rolling the tubing down the body of the beast from head to tail.

Preferably, the step of removing the retention net from the beast includes rolling back the tubing with the coat entrapped therein whereby both the net and the coat are removed from 5 the beast.

In one preferred form, the method relates to lambswool and, more particularly, to a method for the removal of the birth coat of lambs in order to produce early growth of a mature fleece.

The birthcoat of some lambs is a dense mat of long, coarse fibres while for other lambs 10 it is fine, with an even, non-fuzzy outline. Between these extremes there is continuous variation involving the density of the long and coarse fibres, and their coverage over the body. For these reasons the lambswool that is remove is of little economic importance to the wool grower.

The current practice of removing wool from lambs involves the use of a mechanical shearing device. Lambs shorn in this manner receive shearing cuts to the skin and are stressed 15 by the manual manipulation by the shearer.

A separate problem relates to quality of coat.

In respect to Merinos, the growth cycle involves the birth coat (hair like) which breaks or is removed to produce a higher quality woollen fleece.

Although all follicles are present at birth, the birth coat represents the growth of fibres 20 principally in primary follicles prenatally: this proportion is lower in Merinos (10-20%) than other breeds (-50%). The immature secondary follicles mature rapidly during the first few weeks of life, but several months are required for complete maturation. These early formed primary follicles tend to give more medullated fibres which greatly affect processing and therefore decrease the value of the wool.

In another preferred form, the method is used for treating sheep with Mycotic Dermatitis ("Lumpy Wool") to convert a valueless sheep into a commercially valued animal.

Mycotic Dermatitis affects sheep to varying degrees depending on the seasonal conditions. If rainy conditions prevail at the time, the disease may affect more than 50 percent of a flock.

(PONZ W:\kate\WQRK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc 4 "3 JUN2003 The disease is debilitating to the extent that a sheep suffering from it is deemed to be of no value and is commonly slaughtered. Hitherto, there has been no effective treatment available, and the economic loss caused by the disease in countries like Australia which have a large sheep population is very considerable.

The present invention is based on the discovery that removal of the fleece, by the use of biological de-fleecing agent such as EGF causes the scabs and other infectious material on the skin of the sheep to come away with the discarded fleece.

The EGF causes the fibre follicle to stop producing fibre. The effect of EGF is of short duration. However, new fibre produced after the stoppage is not integral with the fibre produced 10 before the stoppage, that is to say a break is produced in the fibre. The continuing growth of fibre after the stoppage eventually brings the break to the surface of the skin, whereupon the fibre ahead of the break is shed. However, if a sheep is simply de-nuded of fleece, it is likely to die, either from cold or as a result of exposure of the skin to ultra-violet radiation from the sun.

Thus it is necessary to protect the treated sheep from exposure at least until a short 15 length of new fibre is produced.

Commercially it is desirable to have a treatment for dermatitis which is reliable.

Lumpy wool is caused by the organism know as Dermatophilus dermatonomus. The disease is manifest by scab which forms over the infected area.

Only the surface layer of the skin is affected. Wool growth is not affected and as the 20 wool grows the scab is carried up through the wool.

The dermatitis organism causes very active spores. When these spores settle on a susceptible area of skin, they germinate and invade the surface layers quite quickly. The organism then forms branching threads which produce more spores.

The lumps in the wool are created from the secretions from the inflamed skin and they 25 contain the spores and the branching threads of the infective organism.

Wool wax protects the sheep from infection because it is poisonous to the organism.

Shearing interferes with the wax barriers, and renders the sheep susceptible to infection.

The scabs are usually light yellowish brown in colour, and they may be so hard and tough that they cannot be penetrated by the shearing comb used in conventional shearing.

Heretofore, there has been no satisfactory treatment for infected sheep.

IPONZ W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc ' 3 JUN 2003 51 4 In a further preferred form of the present invention, the method is used for treating the fleece zone louse (Damalinia ovis) in sheep.

Body louse is small (<1.3 mm long) and is mainly found along the sides of the sheep. It is a biting louse that feeds on the skin and yolk causing intense irritation which results in fleece damage from sheep rubbing and biting themselves. The louse lay eggs which are attached to wool fibres close to the skin. These eggs are not affected by dips and take approximately 10 days to hatch. For this reason treatments for the eradication of lice must remain effective for about 2 weeks to kill the young lice when they emerge.

Current shearing practices exposes the lice and eggs to unfavourable conditions and most die but not all. Ideally, topical treatments for lice should be used within 24 hours of shearing to destroy the lice remaining. The use of shower of plunge dips is suggested 2 weeks after shearing for hygiene reasons as most post dipping deaths are attributed to infection of unhealed shearing cuts. Ectoparasiticides need to be present on the sheep for the times previously mentioned and such sheep treated need extensive withholding periods before slaughter. In addition, wool that has had any chemical treatment must be withheld for six months prior to processing.

This is of most importance to the processor in that regulations are in place limiting the extent of chemical residues in processing effluent and that no chemicals are to be present in the lanolin (a by product of the process) as it is used for pharmaceutical purposes.

Commercially, topical and systemic treatments are used to eradicate or control lice infestations. Typically topical treatment is one applied to the skin surface using water, dust or solvent such as plunge baths, sheep showers, jetters, mist sprays, dusters and "pour-ons". Systemic delivery involves the compound to be given by injection or by mouth after the blood stream transports the chemical to all parts of the body BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates the main steps involved in a biological defleecing operation in the context of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; IPONZ 6 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc " 3 JUN 2003 Fig. 2 illustrates a typical fibre weakening cycle where the oiologicm defllecmg agent is EGF; Fig. 3 illustrates a net structure, including a net fitted to a sheep; Fig. 4 illustrates the net of Fig.3, laid flat; Fig. 5 illustrates another net fitted to a sheep (side view); Fig. 6 illustrates the net of Fig.5 fitted to a sheep (rear view); Fig. 7 is a plan view of the net of Fig.5 assembled and laid flat; Fig. 8 illustrates neck, back leg and front leg templates to which major components of the net of Fig.5 conform; ^ 10 Fig. 9 illustrates detail of pizzle ring edging and a strap to cross the pizzle ring, applicable to the net of Fig.5; Fig. 10 illustrates polyester webbing used on net edgings of the net of Fig.5; Fig. 11 illustrates detail of an elastic edge of the neck portion of the net of Fig.5; Fig. 12 illustrates seam/support tape for edging parts of the net of Fig.5; Fig. 13 illustrates detail of the bumring insert for the net of Fig.5; Fig. 14 illustrates legging bands on the leg portions of the net of Fig-5; Fig. 15 illustrates the removal of wool from the head of the sheep; Fig. 16 illustrates the removal of wool surrounding the pizzle; Fig. 17 illustrates removal of wool from the lower shanks; Fig. 18 illustrates removal of wool from the breech of the sheep (crutch); Fig. 19 illustrates placing the legs of the sheep into the leggings of the net; Fig. 20 illustrates the winding down of the net onto the backline of the sheep for subsequent fastenings; Fig. 21 illustrates fleece removal; Fig. 22 illustrates classing of the fleece of the vertical classing table; Fig. 23 illustrates a sheep wearing a protective coat after fleece removal; Fig. 24 illustrates an alternative protection coat; IPONZ W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmencl.3005.doc "3 JUN 2003 Fig. 25 demonstrates net with fleece removal consequent to application of the main steps of Fig. 1; Fig. 26 illustrates nude eviscerated sheep carcasses resulting from application of a fleece retention net of the invention; Fig. 27 illustrates a sheep carcass at the completion of cooking with skin on; Fig. 28 illustrates the coverage of a fleece retention net over the body of a sheep in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 29 illustrates the net of Fig.28 prior to application to a sheep; Fig. 30 illustrates a fleece retention net in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, and particularly suited for use with lambs applied to a lamb; Fig.31 illustrates the net of Fig.30 prior to application to a lamb; Fig.32 illustrates the life cycle of the fleece zone louse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The main steps in the biological defleecing process are illustrated in Fig. 1. The process includes the step of administering an effective amount of a biological defleecing agent to the sheep whilst still living whereby wool fibres comprising a coat of the sheep become weakened over a predetermined period of time at least one point of weakening along the fibre breaks at the point of weakening either spontaneously or with the application of minimal force. Fig. 2 illustrates a typical weakening cycle where the biological defleecing agent is EGF.

In this instance the force is applied by the intermediary of a cover in the form of a fleece retention net which is placed over the wool coat during the predetermined time period and during which time at least outermost portions of the wool coat become entangled or otherwise enmeshed in the net.

The net performs an important function of holding the wool coat in place on the sheep while the defleecing agent acts.

Fig. 1 illustrates the key steps in this process.

IPONZ 8 - 3 JUN 2003 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc IPONZ 5184 3 4-3 JUN 2003 Step A comprises injecting an effective amount of a biological defleecing agent 12 into the sheep 11, ideally in the inguinal region.

Step B comprises applying a fleece retention net 14 over the coat 13 and securing the net 14 in position for the purpose of retaining coat 13 in position on the sheep 11.

Step C comprises leaving the sheep 11 covered for a predetermined time 15 sufficient to allow weakening of substantially all of the wool fibres comprising coat 13 under the influence of the biological defleecing agent. In addition, during this time, the outer ends of the wool fibres comprising the coat 13 work their way through the apertures 16 of the net 14.

The end result, as illustrated in Step D is that after the predetermined time 15 the 10 covering 14 can be removed. The force applied via the coverings is sufficient that a substantial ^ portion of the coat 13 comes away in a homogenous manner with the net 14 leaving the sheep 11 substantially free of wool.

The net 14 is so structured that, in a subsequent step, the coat 13 entrapped in the net 14 can itself be separated from the net 14 in a homogenous manner.

The process of Fig. 1, will now be described in further detail.

Net system 10 comprises a plurality of individually formed components which are subsequently sewn together at their edges so as to form a fleece retention net which covers substantially an entire sheep save for the head and lower legs thereof. In combination with the apertures 16 it performs the dual function of retaining the coat 13 of the sheep in place during 20 the predetermined time 15 and also assists in the removal of substantially the entire fleece after the predetermined time 15 in a single operation. The net is further structured so as to allow easy separation of the fleece from the net.

The net system 10 is therefore to be seen as performing important functions in the context of the biological defleecing process described with reference to Fig. 1.

With particular reference to Fig. 3 important auxiliary components 22 of a net system 21 are illustrated. The auxiliary component comprise legging bands 23, neck retainer band 24, rear stiffener loop 25, first longitudinal reinforcing tape 26, second longitudinal reinforcing tape 27, longitudinal tie element 28, all attached generally as illustrated to a net structure 29, a portion of which is shown in detail in the inset of Fig. 3.

In order that the net structure 29 can assist to perform the functions of homogeneous coat retention, homogeneous coat removal followed by homogeneous coat separation from the W:\kate\WORK\NZl2105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc net structure it comprises, in this instance, a plurality of apertures 30 which, in the unstretched condition of the net structure 29, adopt a generally rectangular structure as illustrated in the inset, in this instance of dimension approximately 1cm x 1cm bounded by generally circular cross section nylon fibre of approximately 3mm cross-section diameter. Under tension in the longitudinal direction as defined in Fig. 3 with reference to alignment of the net system 21 on the sheep 11, the apertures 30 adopt a narrowed dimension in the cross longitudinal direction such that the dimension (with reference to the inset of Fig. 3) moves from larger cross dimension D to smaller cross dimension d of aperture 30.

Fig. 4 illustrates the net system 21 assembled and laid flat preparatory to application to a sheep 11.

The net structure 29 is comprised of a plurality of individually formed components comprising chest component 31, first front leg portion 32, second front leg portion 33, first rear leg portion 34 and second rear leg portion 35.

Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of a sheep with another net system 40 in place. From the figure it can be seen that each individual piece of the net is designed so that when sewn together it conforms to the shape of the sheep. From Fig. 5 it can also be seen that with the exception of the areas that are crutched prior to application of the net all the wool coat 43 is contained within the net system 40.

The features of note in the net system 40 of Fig. 5 include legging bands 47 attached to the extremities of both front leg portions 48 and rear leg portions 49 of the net structure 44. The legging bands 47 are of sufficient width and snugness to prevent substantially the passage of any of coat 43 therebeneath. This behaviour is known as "streaming" and is said to be avoided as it leads to contamination of the wool and loss of wool.

Also of note is a neck band 50 again of sufficient width and snugness to prevent the streaming of the wool coat via the neck of the sheep. These and other reinforcement systems of the net system 40 will be described in greater detail below.

With reference to Fig. 6 there is shown, in use, tailring 51 comprising a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or nylon rod moulded into a narrow U shape, and moulded into the shape of the britch of the animal. The tailring 51 is required to keep the net separated around the anus of the sheep to allow for faeces to fall free and not lodge in the legs of the net and contaminate the wool. Fig. 6 discloses a further view of legging bands 47. They are elasticised sufficient to IPONZ W:\kate\WORK\N2l2105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc - 3 JUN 2003 IPONZ - 3 JUN 2003 prevent the wool of the upper leg of the rear leg portions 49 from streaming out of the net. Ideally the legging bands 47 are placed so as to encompass the equivalent of the knee joint in the case of the rear leg portions or the elbow joint in the case of the front leg portions 48.

Fig. 6 also serves to illustrate, in use, second rear leg portion 35 second front leg portion 33 and chest component 31.

Fig 7. illustrates the net structure 44 laid flat similar to the layout in respect of Fig. 4.

In a particular preferred form the net specifications are as follows: HEX MESH, white. Ply: 210/36-10. Mesh size: 17mm x 17mm. Type: Square/Honeycombe. Available from Carlo Badinotti, Italy.

In this instance the net structure 44 again includes chest component 31, first front leg portion 32, second front leg portion 33, first rear leg portion 34 and second rear leg portion 35. A neck retainer band 50 is attached to a leading edge of the chest component 31. The netting structure is modified in shape at seams including the front leg seam 52 which, ideally, includes additional elasticised binding; front flat seam 53 which joins the two front leg sections with additional seam tape; neck seam 54 which joins the front leg portions 32,33 to the chest component 31; mid seam 55 which joins front portions 32,33 to rear portions 34,35; radial flat seams 56 which connect from the mid seams through to pizzle ring seam 57 and rear flat seam 58 which connects rear leg portions 34,35 as illustrated.

The left outer edge 59 of the net structure 44 of the net system 40 of the second embodiment is edged with an edging tape 61. Similarly right outer edge 60 is edged with an edging tape 62. In one particular form the tape takes the form of polyester strapping with an optimum width of 12mm. The tape selected must be able to withstand significant tensile forces. Additionally, rear outer edge 63 is also edged with edging tape 64. Suitable material for the edging tape includes seatbelt webbing which is able to withstand the forces applied to the tapes, 61, 62 in particular during application of the net to a sheep.

Along mid portion 65 of rear outer edge 63 a double layer of edging tape is applied so as to form a channel 66 to accept a flexible stiffener therewithin.

Seam join 68 forms the back leg. The elasticised legging bands 47 attach to the lower bounds of the tubular leg portions thus formed.

With reference to Fig. 8 there is shown chest component template 69, rear leg template 70 and front leg template 71. The templates illustrated are for an adult sheep and are utilised by 11 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02-SpeciAmend.3005.doc 51 843 A laying them flat over netting material and cutting around the template so as to obtain respective netting components being neck portion 31, rear leg portions 34 and 35 and front leg portions 32 and 33 (Fig. 4).

The front leg template 71 includes profiled region 72 which, if followed, allows 5 appropriate contouring of the resulting sewn seams for the leg portions 48.

Similarly rear leg template 70 includes profiled region 73 and second profiled region 74 which, if followed, allow sewn seams which form the appropriately contoured rear leg portions 49 inclusive of bumring 51 and the pizzle ring seam 57.

Figs. 9 to 14 illustrate the accessories required to complete the net. A in Fig. 9 shows 10 detail of the pizzle ring edging or seam 57 used to line the net opening formed in the rear leg portions 49.

Fig. 9 shows detail of the lacing 75 used to criss cross the pizzle ring. In a preferred form lacing 75 is made from a cotton/nylon blend.

Fig. 10 shows detail of the polyester webbing used in a preferred form to form the 15 edging 61, 62, 64 of the complete net on all sides with the exception of the neck band 50.

Fig. 11 illustrates detail of neck band 50 comprising elastic 25cm in length used on the neck line to prevent streaming of the wool from this region.

Fig. 12 illustrates the seam/support tape used to reinforce and form the centre seam 53 and two support seams 56 of the pizzle ring seam 57.

Fig. 13 illustrates the stiffener rod 67 used as a structural support for the bumring.

Preferred dimensions are 8mm rod, height 26cm to 50cm and 8cm width.

Fig. 14 illustrates the elasticised leg bands 47 sewn to every leg to prevent wool loss.

Referring now to Figs. 15 to 24, there is illustrated a wool harvesting procedure utilizing the net system 21 or 40. That procedure involves the following steps: Step 1 Pre Clean Crutch All sheep initially have a pre clean up crutch. This involves: ° Wigging with the addition of an extra blow behind the back of the ears.

° Wool that surrounds the pizzle is removed in wethers.

IPONZ 12 "3JUN 2003 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpetiAmend.3005.doc 51843 0 Optional is the removal of wool from the shanks if the sheep has heavy wool coverage. 0 and a conventional crutch around the breach.

Step 2 Injection of EGF The injection is delivered in the inguinal region so that the person giving the injection has complete view of the injection site.

Step 3 Application of the Net Once the sheep has been injected with EGF a fleece retention net is then applied in the following sequence.

The sheep is manipulated during the injection and netting procedures using a modified sheep handler.

° The sheep is manipulated onto its back with its four legs pointing into the air. The leg holes of net are then fitted over the corresponding legs of the animal.

° The animal is then turned over so the four legs are in a downward position and forwarded to the next station on the sheep handler. 0 At the second station the net is pulled up with loops on each corner of the net, and attached to motors (not shown) at either end and wound down firmly encasing the sheep.

° The net is fastened to prevent the net losing tension and allowing the net to sag. ° The netted sheep is turned back over to check the positioning of the net with the pizzle. ° Release from the sheep handler.

Step 4 Removal of the Fleece ° Removal of the fleece is typically no longer than 21 days after injection with an optimal time being 16 to 19 days post treatment.

° Two methods can be used to remove the fleece. If the sheep handler is unable to be positioned within the shearing shed the preferred option is to defleece the sheep on the "board".

IPONZ 13 "3 JUN 2003 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc ° Removal of the fleece retention net from the sheep involves the releasing of the fastening system and removal of the netted fleece for subsequent classing and separation of the fleece from the net.

Step 5 Coating After harvesting, the sheep do not have enough wool coverage to protect them from the elements. Therefore, they need to be coated to prevent sunburn or cold.

° The coat 40 is placed on the sheep while it is still on the board immediately after defleecing to eliminate exposure to the cold and UV radiation when they are released from the shearing shed. 110 ° The coat 40 is removed one to two weeks later when the sheep has enough wool regrowth to protect it from the elements. This decision will depend on the climatic conditions and/or the amount of feed available to the animal.

Step 6 Wool Classing The classing of wool removed using the process involves the use of a vertical classing table.

° The net with the fleece entrapped is attached to the vertical classing table by hooking the four loops of the net to the table. The classing table is then extended to open the holes of the net to facilitate the removal of various lines of wool. The fleece is subsequently classed by a registered classer.

° The inferior lines are removed from the fleece including the fribby edges and the belly of the fleece.

The above procedure, in at least some arrangements, will allow the grazier to produce a superior "clip" by having a fleece absent of any "second cuts". Additional benefits to increasing the quality of the fleece may be as follows: ° No shearing cuts to the sheep; ° No skin pieces to contaminate the fleece; ° Significantly less belly wool removed/skirted out, resulting in greater weight of fleece wool; IPONZ M "3 JUN 2003 W:\kate\WQRK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc 51 0 Reduced co-efficient of variation of staple length across the entire fleece; 0 Significantly greater mean length of top fibre; 0 Less card waste and noil.

The procedure will offer wool producers an alternative to shearing yielding a higher 5 quality fleece.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to find skilled shearers to shear the flock and even harder to find reliable shearers to do a quality job. The procedure will reduce the incidence of back and other workplace injuries currently experienced by shearers and this is likely to extend the working life of the shearer. ^ 10 The net of the present invention may be utilized to produce a sheep carcass with skin on, but otherwise devoid of its wool coat. One method producing such a sheep carcass involves the following steps: Step 1 Pre Clean Crutch All sheep before they are treated have a pre clean up crutch. This involves 0 Wigging with the addition of an extra blow behind the back of the ears, as shown in Fig. 15 0 Wool that surrounds the pizzle is removed in wethers, as shown in Fig. 16.

° Optional is the removal of wool from the shanks if the sheep has heavy wool coverage, as shown in Fig. 17. 0 Conventional crutch around the breach, as shown in Fig. 18.

Step 2 Injection of Defleecing Agent The injection of biological defleecing agent 12 is delivered in the inguinal region so that the person giving the injection has complete view of the injection site. It also ensures satisfactory efficacy.

Step 3 Application of the Net Once the sheep 11 has been injected with biological defleecing agent 12 a fleece retention net 14 is then applied in the following sequence.

IPONZ W:\Kate\W0RK\NZ12105-02.SpeoAmend.3005.doc "3JUN2003 518434 The sheep is manipulated during the injection and netting procedures using a modified V-belt sheep handler device. 0 The sheep is manipulated onto its back with its four legs pointing into the air. The leg holes of the net are then fitted over the corresponding legs of the animal (see Fig. 19) ° The animal is then turned over so the four legs are in a downward position and forwarded to the next station on the V-belt handler 0 At the second station the net is pulled up with loops on each corner of the net, and attached to motors at either end and wound down firmly encasing the sheep ° The net is fastened to prevent the roll losing tension and allowing the net to sag, as shown in Fig. 20 ° The netted sheep is turned back over to check the positioning of the net with the pizzle. 0 Release from the handler device.

Step 4 Removal of the Fleece With reference to Fig. 25:- ° Removal of the fleece should be within seven to ten days after injection of the biological defleecing agent.

° Removal of the fleece retention net from the sheep involves the releasing of the fastening system and removal of the netted fleece and separation of the fleece from the net.

Removal of the fleece and net from the sheep can be performed either before or directly after slaughter.

Step 5 Slaughter Process for Skin On ° Sheep is slaughtered in the conventional manner ° Harvest wool from the carcass if not removed prior to slaughter ° The carcass is shaved and/or lightly singed to remove little wool and hair remaining 0 The carcass is washed particularly between the hind legs to remove any dirt and lanolin.

IPONZ 16 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc "3 JUN 2003 0 Evisceration of the carcass ° Setting of the carcass.

Step 6 Slaughter Process for Skin Removal 0 Sheep is slaughtered in the conventional manner 0 Harvest wool from carcass if not removed prior to slaughter 0 The carcass is shaved an/or lightly singed to remove little wool and hair remaining ° Evisceration of the carcass 0 Remove skin from the carcass ° The above process of a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to specific examples.

Example 1 A target sheep was precleaned on the manner of step 1 above. The sheep was then injected with 250 micrograms of epidermal growth factor (EGF) per kilogram of body and a net of the type described with reference to Figs. 1-14 as outlined in step 3 above is applied.

After 8 days the net was removed with fleece and the fleece separated from the net in the manner of step 4 above.

The substantially depilated sheep was then slaughtered to provide a substantially depilated carcass with skin on and the: additional procedures outlined in step 5 were performed leaving a set carcass.

Example 2 A target sheep was precleaned in the manner of step 1 above. The sheep was then injected with 250 micrograms of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a net of the type described in the applicant's co-pending Australian provisional patent application entitled "Fleece Retention Net" was applied as outlined in step 3 above.

After 8 days the net was removed with fleece and the fleece separated from the net in the manner of step 4 above.

IPONZ 434 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105^)2.SpeciAmend.3005.doc 17 " 3 JUN 2003 518434 The substantially depilated sheep was then slaughtered to provide a substantially depilated carcass with skin on and the additional procedures outlined in step 6 were performed leaving a carcass and separated skin, the separated skin being substantially depilated and suitable for processing into leather.

The net system may be used in the removal of the birth coats of lambs.

In appearance the lamb's coat can vary from curly fibres to long hairy fibres covering the entire body, depending on the proportion of primary to secondary follicles. Secondary follicles bud off forming other follicles, and the fibres produced usually share an opening through the skin surface. It is possible to have up to eight fibres from branched or derived secondary follicles through a single opening of the skin. Hence, the earlier the birthcoat is removed and the earlier the second coat begins to regrow the more likely that denser higher quality fleece may be produced.

The process of Fig. 1, as specifically applied to a preferred embodiment of the method of removing birth coats of lambs will now be described in further detail.

In order to apply the process to a young lamb a modified net 240 (refer Fig. 28) is applied to the lamb 241. In this embodiment the modified net 240 comprises a length of elasticised medical tubing as best seen in Fig. 29. The tubing is 100mm Cotton/Elastic tubing available from ROWE Medical Supplies, Dubbo, Australia, for example.

The tubing comprising the modified net 240 includes apertures 216 which can vary in dimension according to the nature of the stretching force applied to the net in the same manner as for the adult net illustrated in Figs 3 and 4, but on a smaller scale.

In this instance holes 242 are cut in the tubing comprising the net 240 to allow the legs of the lamb to pass therethrough.

In this matter the important features of the defleecing process and netting system of adult sheep described with reference to Figs. 1-4 is applied with advantage, using the modified net 240, to lambs for the end purpose of stimulating early growth of a mature fleece.

Example 1 Steps of the process applied to a lamb are as follows: Pre Treatment Crutch IPONZ is "3JUN 2003 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpetiAmend.3005.d0C 5184 For lambs less than four months of age there is no need to prepare the animal with a pre treatment removal of wool from the wig, pizzle, shanks and crutch.

Injection Injection is delivered subcutaneously in the inguinal region where no wool is present to 5 hinder the vision of the operator.

Retention System The elasticised netting of Fig. 29 can be applied by rolling it down the trunk of the lamb 241 from head to tail. Alternatively, the lamb can be placed in a specially designed cradle, with the net then being stretched over the cradle and the legs of the sheep pulled through the pre-cut 110 holes in the net. The sheep is then pulled out of the cradle and released. The net remains in place until the lamb has a sufficient amount of regrowth to protect it from environmental stresses.

Removal Removal is by rolling back the elasticised material with the wool entrapped over and off 15 the body of the lamb.

Classing The classing method will be dependant on the requirements of the wool producer. Unless specified otherwise, the lambs wool will be baled all together.

The above-mentioned process and netting system can be applied with advantage to treat 20 or ameliorate the effects of Mycotic Dermatitis (lumpy wool).

A preferred method of that treatment will be described by way of example with reference to Figs. 30 and 31 and Figs. 15-19.

Example 1 Step 1 Pre Clean Crutch All sheep before they are treated must have a pre clean up crutch. This involves: ° Wigging with the addition of an extra blow behind the back of the ears.

° Wool that surrounds the pizzle is removed in wethers.

IPONZ 19 "3 JUN2003 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc ° Optional is the removal of wool from the shanks if the sheep has heavy wool coverage. 0 and a conventional crutch around the breach.

Step 2 Injection of EGF The injection is delivered in the inguinal region so that the person giving the injection has complete view of the injection site.

Step 3 Application of the Net Once the sheep has been injected with EGF a fleece retention net must be then applied in the following sequence. ^10 The sheep is manipulated during the injection and netting procedures using a modified V-belt sheep handler. 0 The sheep is manipulated onto its back with its four legs pointing into the air. The leg holes of the net are then fitted over the corresponding legs of the animal. 0 The animal is then turned over so the four legs are in a downward position and 15 forwarded to the next station on the V-belt handler. 0 At the second station the net is pulled up with loops on each corner of the net, and attached to motors at either end and wound down firmly encasing the sheep.

° The net is fastened to prevent the roll losing tension and allowing the net to sag.

° The netted sheep is turned back over to check the positioning of the net with the 20 pizzle.

° Release from the VE machine.

Step 4 Removal of the Fleece ° Removal of the fleece should be no longer than 21 days after the injection with the optimal time being 16 to 19 days post treatment.

° Two methods can be used to remove the fleece. If the V-belt handler is unable to be positioned within the shearing shed the preferred option is to defleece the sheep on the "board".

IPONZ W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpedAmerKl.3005.doc _ a ., .. , ftAA4. 3 JUN 2003 5184 4 ° Removal of the fleece retention net from the sheep involves the releasing of the fastening system and removal of the netted fleece for subsequent classing and separation of the fleece from the net.

Step 5 Coating After harvesting, the sheep do not have enough wool coverage to protect them from the elements. Therefore, they need to be coated to prevent sunburn or cold.

° The coat is placed on the sheep while it is still of the board immediately after defleecing to eliminate exposure to the cold and UV radiation when they are released from the shearing shed.

° The coat is removed one to two weeks later when the sheep has enough wool regrowth to protect it from the elements. This decision will depend on the climatic conditions and/or the amount of feed available to the animal.

Step 6 Wool Classing The classing of wool removed using the process involves the use of a vertical The net with the fleece entrapped is attached to the vertical classing table by hooking the four loops of the net to the table. The classing table is then extended to open the holes of the net to facilitate the removal of various lines of wool. The fleece is subsequently classed by a registered classer.

The inferior lines are removed from the fleece including the fribby edges and the belly of the fleece.

Sheep previously harvested biologically do not appear to show any return of dermatitis after harvest.

When biologically harvested the scabs harbouring the zoospores lift off the sheep and then the open wounds heal over very quickly. It is postulated that the EGF may change the condition of the surface layer of the skin resulting in the death of the organism. The wax in the wool is poisonous to the organism as EGF increases the rate of wax the skin produces then it would deter the rate of dermatitis. classing table.

W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciArnend.3005.doc 21 IPONZ "3 JUN 2003 < fl l 3 4 When the disease is widespread it may interfere with shearing and in such circumstances shearing itself can add to the spread of the disease.

With particular reference to lambs a more suitable coat for use in conjunction with the treatment method of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 30 and 31.

In order to apply the process to a young lamb a modified net 340 (refer Fig. 30) is applied to the lamb 341. In this instance the modified net 340 comprises a length of elasticised medical tubing as best seen in Fig. 31.

The tubing comprising the modified net 340 includes apertures 316 which can vary in dimension according to the nature of the stretching force applied to the net in the same manner 10 as for the adult net illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, but on a smaller scale.

^ In this instance holes 342 are cut in the tubing comprising the net 340 to allow the legs of the lamb to pass therethrough.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the above-mentioned process and netting system can be applied with the advantage to treat sheep infested with fleece zone lice 15 (Damalinia ovis). The application of this treatment will reduce industries reliance on the use of chemicals and reduce chemical residues in wool.

When the fleece is biologically harvested a substantial portion of the fleece is removed from the sheep. The use of the process removes the habitat of eggs and mature fleece zone lice in sheep. Lice do not survive for long periods outside of their environment and a consequence 20 renders the lice non-viable.

Fleece zone lice are the most prevalent and widespread of the external parasites and causes the most damage. Body lice multiply rapidly and as they are very active, an infestation spreads quite rapidly. They are found mainly along the sides of the animal, feeding on the skin and yolk. This causes intense irritation which results in the sheep rubbing and biting the fleece. 25 Conventional shearing exposes the lice and eggs to unfavourable conditions and most die (approximately 70%). The complete removal of their habitat using the process of biological defleecing exposes them to drying and subsequent death. As the fleece is substantially removed this allows great penetration by typically applied compounds.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and 30 modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

IPONZ 22 W:\kate\WORK\N212105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc "3 JUN 2003 518434

Claims (33)

1. A fleece retention net for use in de-fleecing a beast, the net including tubing composed of elasticised netting material and having open opposite ends, the tubing being expandable for receiving the body of the beast therein with the head and tail of the beast being received through 5 the respective open ends thereof, and the tubing having holes for receiving legs of the beast therethrough so as to fit the net to the beast, the fitted net acting to retain fleece on the body of the beast.

2. A net as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tubing is a length of elasticised medical tubing.

3. A net as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the tubing holes are cut in the tubing. ^10

4. A net as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tubing is cylindrical shaped.

5. A net as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the netting material has apertures that adopt a substantially narrowed dimension when tension is applied in one direction to the tubing, and a substantially open condition when tension is applied in a direction substantially transverse to the one direction. 15

6. A net as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the apertures adopt a substantially closed condition when tension is applied in the one direction.

7. A net as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the netting material includes a plurality of strands extending in a first direction and a plurality extending in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction, each of the plurality of strands in the first direction being 20 substantially continuous strands and the plurality of strands in the second direction arranged such that strands extending in the second direction from one to an adjacent continuous strand are not in alignment with the strands extending in the second direction from the adjacent to a next adjacent continuous strand.

8. A net as claimed in Claim 7, wherein applying tension to the second direction causes the 25 apertures to adopt a generally hexagonal shape having a dimension, d, in the first direction and applying tension in the first direction causes the apertures to adopt a generally rectangular shape having a dimension, D, in the first direction, and wherein D is greater than d. W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpetiAmend.3005.doc IPONZ 23 "3JUN2003 51843 4

9. A net as claimed in any preceding claim, including an elasticised band extending about one open end of the tubing for enabling the net to be secured around an upper end of the neck of the beast.

10. A net as claimed in any preceding claim, and including a tail ring attached to an open end of the tubing for keeping the net separated around the anus of the beast.

11. A net as claimed in any preceding claim, and including a pizzle ring attached to the tubing to accommodate the pizzle of the beast.

12. A net as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the beast is a sheep.

13. A net as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the beast is a lamb.

14. A fleece retention net, substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any on of the embodiments shown in Figs. 28 to 31 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of defleecing a beast following administration to the beast of an effective amount of biological defleecing agent sufficient to produce weakening and/or separation from the beast of substantially all of the fibres comprising the coat of the beast over a predetermined period of time, the method including the steps of: a) applying a retention net as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 over the coat on the body of the beast; b) leaving the retention net in place during a predetermined period of time; c) removing the retention net after the predetermined period whereby a substantial and homogenous portion of the coat of the beast comes away from the beast with the net; and d) separating the coat from the net.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 15, wherein removal of the retention net transmits a pulling action to the coat fibres causing a force to be applied at points of weakening of the fibres produced by the administration of the biological defleecing agent, to the extent that the fibres separate at the points during the removal to thereby enable the coat to come away with the net. 24 W:\kate\WORK\NZ12105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc IPONZ " 3 JUN 2003 5

17. A method as claimed in Claim 15 or 16, wherein the fibres separate from the beast prior to the retention net being removed after the predetermined period.

18. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the coat is separated from the net as a substantially homogenous unit. 5

19. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the predetermined period is between 12 and 21 days, inclusive.

20. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 19, wherein the net incorporates a plurality of reinforcing systems which co-operate to seal the coat against streaming during the predetermined period. 10

21. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 20, and including the step of covering the beast with a protective coat to the beast after step c).

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the protective coat is left on the beast until a new coat has grown sufficiently to provide the beast with its own protection against environmental conditions. 15

23. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or 22, wherein the protective coat is constructed from sacking.

24. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 23, wherein elastic is sewn to the sacking so as to provide rear leg channels to receive rear legs of the beast, one to each.

25. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 20, wherein removal of the retention net 20 from the beast occurs before the beast is slaughtered to produce a carcass.

26. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 20, wherein removal of the retention net from the beast occurs after the beast is slaughtered to produce a carcass.

27. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 26, wherein applying the retention net includes stretching and rolling the tubing along the body of the beast from head to tail. 25

28. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 26, including the step of placing the beast in a cradle for application of the retention net, and applying the net includes stretching the IPONZ 25 W:\kate\WORK\N212105-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc " 3 JUN 2003 51843 4 tubing over the cradle and along the body of the beast, and pulling the beast and surrounding retention net from the cradle so that the net is received on the body of the beast.

29. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 28, wherein removal of the retention net includes rolling back the tubing with the coat entrapped therein whereby both the net and the 5 coat are removed from the beast.

30. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 29, wherein the beast is a lamb, and the method is used for the removal of the birth coat of the lamb so as to stimulate the growth of a mature fleece.

31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 29, wherein the beast is a sheep or lamb, 10 and the method is used for treating the sheep or lamb for dermatitis.

32. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 29, wherein the beast is a sheep or lamb, and the method is used for treating fleece zone lice in the sheep or lamb by defleecing the sheep or lamb.

33. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 32, and substantially as hereinbefore 15 described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. Dated: 30 May, 2003 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK 20 Attorneys for: BIOLOGICAL WOOL HARVESTING CO. PTY. LTD. W:\kate\WORK\NZ12106-02.SpeciAmend.3005.doc 26 IPONZ "3 JUN 2003 ■51843 i ABSTRACT A fleece retention net formed from netting to substantially cover an entire beast save for the head and lower legs thereof. The net retains the fibres comprising the coat of the beast, during a period when at least a portion of the fibres are caused to be weakened and/or separated 5 from the beast as a result of the administration of an effective amount of biological defleecing agent to the beast, by reception of groupings of upper ends of the fibres in netting apertures. The netting apertures adopt a substantially narrowed dimension when tension is applied in one direction, and a substantially open condition when tension is applied in a direction, substantially traverse to the one direction. 10 Methods of defleecing beasts, such as sheep, using the retention net are also disclosed. W:\kate\SPECI\NZ Patent Modification (15.04.02)Div.doc