A team of eight researchers at Saskatoon’s Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization are working on a new immunization system that could save cattle ranchers an estimated $30 per head.
The DNA immunization system will eliminate carcass defects caused by injections and the need to immunize animals more than once. It will also allow producers to immunize calves at birth, decreasing the odds of them contracting a disease.
Scientists already know the new technology works, but there are regulatory hoops to jump through and some kinks to work out before it is made available to cattle producers.
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“We can do it in the research lab, but it’s out in the field that we need to do more,” said VIDO director Lorne Babiuk.
“We have to still improve the delivery system to make it economical.”
The DNA immunization system injects a gene into cattle, which produces proteins that protect against disease. This gene injection doesn’t require the adjuvant (mineral oil solution) that current vaccines need. That effectively eliminates injection-site lesions, physical blemishes that cost farmers an estimated $8.50 per site, said Babiuk.
The animal will produce the necessary proteins for the remainder of its life, eliminating the need for booster shots and antibiotics.
For use on calves
The third benefit is that calves can be immunized at birth, instead of waiting four or five months. The DNA vaccine appears to have the ability to overcome maternal antibodies that calves get from their mother’s milk. These antibodies interfere with current vaccines, rendering them ineffective for very young animals.
The earlier calves are vaccinated, the less chance they have of picking up a disease, said Babiuk.
“If you wait too late they’ll get exposed to the disease and they can get the disease.”
Babiuk said the combination of no injection lesions and a more effective vaccine that eliminates the need for antibiotics, booster shots and sick pens could save producers $30 per head.
VIDO has been researching this system for about three years. Initial funding was provided by the Alberta Cattle Commission. A year ago the program received a $407,790 grant from the Canada Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund, which will pay for salaries and supplies over the next two years.
Eventually DNA vaccination could be used for any kind of disease, but initially it will tackle respiratory diseases. One of the challenges for the VIDO researchers is to develop one vaccine that will handle major respiratory diseases.
Babiuk said the new vaccination system will not be on the market for another four or five years.
