Vaccine targets environmental mastitis
A vaccine, claimed to be the first specific product against Streptococcus uberis, the most common cause of environmental mastitis in New Zealand, was launched here last month.
The company’s veterinarian Bob Sadler says vaccination of pregnant cows and heifers to stimulate rotavirus antibody production in the colostrum has become a common way to help protect calves from rotavirus scours.
Two vaccine options have been available in recent years, but this year a third option is on sale: Rotagal is a vaccine containing the G6 strain of rotavirus antigen (the strain causing most rotavirus outbreaks in New Zealand), plus corona virus and E coli K99 antigens.
Sadler says one of the constraints on farmers has been the cost on vaccinating. “A lot like to use vaccines to prevent scours outbreaks but there’s been a considerable cost attached to vaccinating the cost.
“The main point of difference with Rotagal is it is significantly cheaper. Some farmers have not been vaccinating because of the cost and some, for instance, only do half the herd to avoid costs. The cost has been up to $5 per cow and that can be quite a lot out of the animal health budget.”
Rotagal, a registered veterinary medicine, comes from Europe, from a small, very focused vaccine manufacturer, says Sadler.
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