Preventing Bull Preputial Breakdown by Vaccination
| Project start date: | 02 December 2022 |
| Project end date: | 30 April 2026 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Beef |
| Relevant regions: | National, Western Australia, Mediterranean |
| Site location: | WA: South Coast Region |
Summary
This producer demonstration site project aims demonstrate that a commercial Bovine Herpesvirus vaccine (either Rhinogard or Bovilis MH + IBR) prior to mating can reduce the incidence and severity of Bovine Balanoposthitis and hence bull wastage in virgin British bred bulls. Secondarily, to establish a baseline incidence of the syndrome and produce statistics useful to estimate both the cost of the syndrome to Esperance producers and the return on investment of vaccination.
The project intends to deliver the following benefits to producers, their business and the industry in the longer term:
- demonstrate a greater appreciation of the value of preparing bulls for the breeding season amongst the core and observer producers.
- demonstrate a reduction in both the incidence and severity of preputial damage in virgin bulls on individual vaccinated properties compared to their historic levels.
- demonstrate a reduction in both the incidence and severity of preputial damage in virgin bulls on vaccinated properties vs. properties not enrolled in a vaccination program.
- demonstrate a significant improvement in the proportion of producers vaccinating their virgin bulls prior to mating within the survey area and expect the results to lead to greater adoption across Southern Australia and elsewhere where British bulls are utilized.
- a significant improvement in awareness of the pathophysiology of Bovine Herpesvirus associated balanoposthitis between the pre and post project survey as well as awareness of the availability of the two commercial vaccines.
The results of this PDS will demonstrate that vaccination of virgin bulls with commercial herpesvirus vaccines prior to mating will reduce the incidence and severity of balanoposthitis and that when demonstrated that producers will adopt the management practice for their financial benefit and for the welfare benefit to their livestock. The PDS has the potential to positively influence producers and their livestock throughout Australia.
Objectives
By December 2025, in the Esperance Region of Western Australia:
- Conduct survey work as part of a pre project survey of all reachable Esperance producers to establish the incidence of balanoposthitis in virgin bulls during their first mating season both seasonally and historically.
- Demonstrate the potential of two commercially available Bovine Herpesvirus vaccines to:
- Reduce the incidence of balanoposthitis in virgin bulls during their first mating season.
- Reduce the severity of balanoposthitis in virgin bulls during their first mating season.
- Reduce the degree of virgin bull wastage associated with balanoposthitis during their first mating season.
- Develop a cost benefit analysis to demonstrate the value of vaccination in measured reductions in premature culling and/or veterinary treatment costs.
- Conduct annual field days and other activities to showcase the demonstration site results and to encourage ongoing adoption of vaccination practices by 100% of core producers & over 50% of observer producers by close of project.
- Conduct a pre and post project survey to gauge understanding of the pathophysiology of the syndrome and the steps that can be taken to mitigate it. These surveys will be used to demonstrate that a target of 100% core producers and 70% of observer producers will have improved their knowledge and skills in this area. Measurable improvement in observer producer understanding will provide a proxy for the capability of further extension nationally.
- Integrate the role of vaccination for Bovine Herpesvirus into a larger suite of extension targeting bull pre-mating preparation.
Progress
The ‘Preventing Bull Preputial Breakdown by Vaccination’ Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project is based in Esperance, WA. It commenced in 2023, with final results expected in early 2026. The project aims to demonstrate that a commercial Bovine Herpesvirus vaccine (either Rhinogard or Bovilis MH + IBR) prior to mating can reduce the incidence and severity of Bovine Balanoposthitis and hence bull wastage in virgin British bred bulls. Secondarily, we aim to establish a baseline incidence of the syndrome potentially providing statistics useful to estimate both the cost of the syndrome to Esperance producers and the return on investment of vaccination. The project is being driven by grower group ASHEEP & BEEF, in collaboration with Dr Enoch Bergman from Swans Veterinary Services.
