Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Bacterial pneumonia caused by Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica) is the largest cause of mortality in lambs, accounting for approximately 50% of annual mortalities. Currently, there is no approved commercial vaccine for sheep in North America to reduce losses from bacterial pneumonia.
Previous work by VIDO's team has developed an experimental vaccine composed of three M. haemolytica proteins (TbpA, LtxA, and TbpB), which was found to be effective against a M. haemolytica challenge.
As part of the development/commercialization process of this experimental vaccine, researchers will perform controlled experimental vaccine safety and efficacy trials against a challenge with M. haemolytica. This work will support related research that uses VIDO's vaccine in a large commercial field trial, investigating the efficacy of sheep respiratory vaccines in pre-weaned and weaned lambs.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
An efficacious respiratory vaccine would benefit Alberta sheep producers by improving sheep health, welfare, and production efficacies, whilst reducing antimicrobial usage and the risk of antimicrobial resistance development.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Results will be communicated to the industry through the Small Ruminant Vets of Ontario group via newsletters and their website, of which many Alberta small ruminant veterinarians are members of. They will also be shared though sheep producer conferences across Alberta and Ontario.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.