Ensure bulls meet potential with Hiprabovis3 vax

For breeding bulls to achieve their full potential they need to achieve high conception rates during the mating period. They are often required to serve large numbers of cows making it imperative that their semen is of high quality. Any diseases that may cause a fever in a bull may make him temporarily infertile which may result in lower than acceptable conception rates or an increase in ‘late ‘cows. Higher than normal body temperature can affect the quality of semen during the fever period. It may take up to three months following infection for the quality of semen and sperm count to return to normal.

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI-3) viruses have all been shown to be widespread amongst New Zealand dairy herds. 60% of cattle have been exposed to BVD and generally, nearly 80% of herds have been exposed. Somewhere between 15-20% of dairy herds have a current active infection meaning that persistently infected cattle are present (BVD steering committee website). Serological surveys have shown that IBR prevalence may range from 60-80% in most dairy herds along with PI-3 prevalence running at nearly 100% in dairy herds surveyed (Motha and Hansen, 1998). Motha and Hansen showed that the prevalence of herds with all three infections to be greater than 55%.

Hiprabovis 3 is a trivalent vaccine containing inactivated strains of BVD, IBR and PI-3 virus which stimulates active immunity to all three viruses and acts as an aid in the control of disease caused by these viruses. Hiprabovis 3 is the only vaccine available offering any protection for bulls against these viruses. Bulls should be tested BVD negative and vaccinated with a primary dose 8-9 weeks before the introduction to the herd with a booster given not less than 3 weeks before being introduced to the herd.

References

BVD steering committee website.
Motha M X J and Hansen (1990). Prevalence of IBR, PI 3, BRS and BCV infections in the dairy cattle population of New Zealand.
New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 46: pp 239-240.