TRIALS and research into the use of the current Bovilis MH vaccination in sheep are underway by Coopers Animal Health.
Many sheep producers, including feedlotters, have begun 'off the label' use of the cattle product in the hope of preventing respiratory conditions within their livestock. As a result, Coopers Animal health have started research and trials into the vaccinations safety, suitability and efficacy within sheep.
Speaking at the CopRice's Feeding Sheep for Profit field day held at Peter Boyd's Canimbla feedlot in Cowra on Tuesday, Coopers Animal Health's technical advisor Jim Walsh said the Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) vaccinations that exist are very effective in the beef feedlot world, however there was no vaccination for registered use in lamb feedlots as of yet.
"However we do know that these products are being used in the lamb feedlot world," Mr Walsh said.
"I just want to emphasise these are not registered so this is off label. There is no data on how effective they are or how safe they are.
"But as a company we are currently doing work on the safety to attempt to get registration."
Mr Walsh said data out of New Zealand suggested there was cross protection between the cattle strains and the sheep strains so they hoped it would make a difference for lamb feedlot producers.
"There is plenty of work to be done, but we are doing it," Mr Walsh said.
Within his presentation to the 200-odd crowd of attendees from NSW, Victoria and NZ, Peter Boyd outlined his current feedlot induction protocol and routine, which included an MH vaccination along with 5-in-1, vitamin A, D and E, and B12 injections.
"We've been using a bit of the MH vaccine, although it is not registered yet but it is working very, very well for us," Mr Boyd said.
"It has just eliminated all respiratory issues.
"The sooner they get it on the market the better."
