Dr Enoch Bergman, Swans Veterinary Services
The ‘Preventing Bull Preputial Breakdown by Vaccination’ Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project 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 bulls. We are also attempting 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. Approximately 50 properties with over 1000 bulls in total were surveyed, close to 300 of which were virgin bulls. Virgin bulls were considered vaccinated if the producer themselves had vaccinated the bulls prior to work. Some bulls within both groups had also been vaccinated previously by the stud from which the bulls were purchased.
Work to date has been very encouraging, demonstrating a 6.4% and 11.1% reduction in the incidence of balanoposthitis in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Proportionally, this reduction is equivalent to a 33.2% and 67.3% reduction of the proportion of bulls affected.
Year three is around the corner and Zoetis is kindly providing free Rhinogard vaccine to treat your bulls prior to the working season. Regardless of whether or not you vaccinate, the PDS is also supporting veterinary examination of your bulls should they break down with balanoposthitis.
Contact ASHEEP & BEEF or Swans Veterinary Services for more details.