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.
A NEW rotavirus scours vaccine costing much less than usual will allow greater numbers of animals to be protected, says the supplier, Phoenix Pharm.
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.
www.phoenixpharm.co.nz
09 476 7391
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
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