Selective breeding for wool production has created genetic conditions that compromise sheep welfare and require human intervention throughout their lives.
The genetics of modern wool sheep represent a case where breeding priorities have created welfare problems that require perpetual human management to resolve. The continuous fleece growth that makes Merinos commercially valuable simultaneously makes these animals dependent on regular shearing to survive. When shearing is delayed due to labor shortages or farm mismanagement, sheep develop severe mobility problems, skin conditions, and heat stress. The genetic predisposition to skin folds in high-wool-producing Merino lines also predisposes to flystrike, a painful and often fatal condition where blowfly larvae invade moist skin fold tissue. Mulesing (removing breech skin to reduce fold area) causes acute pain without anesthesia in most Australian operations. The breeding of moderate-wool alternatives without extreme skin folding represents a genuine welfare improvement without economic sacrifice that deserves stronger industry support.