increase font size
The world’s first sheep worm vaccine.
THE WORLD’S first sheep worm vaccine has been released in Australia.
Barbervax protects against barber’s pole (Haemonchus contortus) giving farmers and vets a drench alternative that will limit drench resistance, says Australia’s Sheep Collaborative Research Center (Sheep CRC).
Decades of research have gone into worm vaccines but to date the only other anti-worm vaccine is against cattle lungworm.
Barbervax was developed by Scotland’s Moredun Research Institute and the Department of Agriculture and Food in Western Australia. It was launched last month in New South Wales. DAF WA’s Albany laboratory makes it and NSW rural retailer GrazAg is selling it.
Sheep CRC says it will be particularly useful where barber’s pole is endemic, where frequent drenching is usually necessary to prevent sheep deaths and where resistance has slashed drench options, such as in the NSW Tablelands.
It’s registered for use in lambs, administered by five 1ml subcutaneous injections at six-week intervals during the barber’s pole risk season.
The developers stress the first two vaccinations do not provide protection, but prime immune systems so six weeks protection is gained from third and subsequent vaccinations.
It’s envisaged initial jabs will be at lamb marking, the second three-five weeks later and the third at weaning, usually with a drench to ensure existing barber’s pole burdens, and other worms such as Trichostrongylus spp (black scour worm), are removed.
Trials show the vaccine provides 75-95% protection against barber’s pole and because pasture worm burdens remain low behind vaccinated mobs, the small percentage of sheep that do not respond to vaccination do not face the worm challenge they otherwise would.
Faecal egg counts are recommended to check barber’s pole burdens when vaccine protection is being established at the second or third injection, and periodically thereafter to ensure low counts are maintained.
Pasture planning to avoid significant barber’s pole intake, and breeding for worm resistant sheep, are also recommended.
Sheep in poor body condition or showing signs of worms may not respond fully to vaccination and may require further support, Sheep CRC warns.
A first run of 300,000 doses, enough for 60,000 lambs, has sold out.
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try harder" report card on the red meat industry regarding its exports to China - particularly when compared to Australia.
More Australian states are embracing virtual fencing technology, opening growth opportunities for Kiwi companies like Halter.
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.
Farmers in the Australian state of New South Wales will soon be able to use virtual fencing and herding technology to boost farm productivity.
The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.
