Farm-specific vaccines for mastitis and respiratory issues
Kat Charnas, Agriculture Victoria
Sheep producers now have a genuine alternative solution available to manage mastitis and respiratory issues in their flocks, with a new farm-specific vaccine tailored to meet their individual needs.
We know how challenging it can be when producers and veterinarians are dealing with disease issues that don’t fit neatly within the scope of existing commercial vaccines. Farm-specific vaccines give us the flexibility to respond quickly and precisely to what’s happening on individual farms.
Our team is committed to supporting the sheep industry with reliable, science-based solutions that improve animal health and help farmers stay productive and resilient.
In 2024, Agriculture Victoria’s Pig Services Centre (PSC) was issued an APVMA minor use permit enabling the manufacture and supply of farm-specific vaccines for managing diseases caused by Mannheimia haemolytica, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Escherichia coli in any combination in sheep.
While the PSC has long been recognised as a trusted Australian manufacturer of farm-specific vaccines for the pig industry, the team has expanded its capability to support other livestock sectors, including sheep. Since 1995, PSC scientists have combined laboratory expertise with strong regulatory compliance to help veterinarians address farm-specific disease challenges where commercial vaccines may be unavailable or ineffective.
Farm-specific vaccines are custom-made from pathogens isolated from an individual property. This makes them particularly valuable for managing endemic diseases that cost the livestock industry millions in lost productivity each year. By providing a targeted response to individual strains, farm-specific vaccines can help improve animal welfare, production outcomes and on-farm biosecurity.
The PSC team works closely with veterinarians across Australia to ensure these vaccines are produced safely and efficiently, offering an important alternative when commercial products do not meet local needs.
Benefits of Farm Specific Vaccines
- Strain-specific protection tailored to the pathogens present on individual farms
- Rapid response to emerging or evolving disease threats
- Reduced reliance on antibiotics through improved preventive health
- Enhanced welfare and productivity by lowering disease burden
- Strengthened biosecurity with targeted management tools
Farm-specific vaccines give veterinarians greater control over disease management strategies while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practice manufacturing.
To learn more about how farm-specific vaccines can benefit your business, ask your veterinarian to contact the Pig Services Centre at: pigs.bendigo@agriculture.vic.gov.au