Research that could lead to the end of mulesing sheep has been awarded a scholarship by the RSPCA for a Dookie student.

Mulesing involves the removal of a strip of skin from around the sheep's backside, stopping wool growth and preventing moisture build-up from urine and feces which attracts blowflies.

With large farms and large mobs of sheep, regular inspection for fly strike can be difficult and expensive, so mulesing is carried out.

Third year University of Melbourne Dookie Campus Bachelor of Agriculture student Matthew Bollen's research involves a wide management campaign on sheep to try and prevent fly strike, but he will also be evaluating a new anaesthetic to numb pain on sheep after mulesing.