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22 October 1998 |
Ref 98/248 |
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A promising CSIRO vaccine against lupinosis, a livestock disease, is currently being trialed in Western Australia by the animal health company, Virbac (Australia) Pty Limited.
Virbac's Dr Paul Martin says the vaccine could save Australian sheep and cattle producers millions of dollars each year when it becomes commercially available.
Lupinosis is caused when a fungus, Diaporthe toxica, infects lupin stubble and seeds and produces a poisonous chemical. The chemical attacks the liver of livestock that eat the affected lupins, causing loss of production including animal deaths.
Dr John Edgar, of CSIRO Animal Health, believes the vaccine may improve production and wool quality, as well as prevent sickness and death of stock.
"The vaccine may also allow farmers to graze stock on lupins during February, March and April, when other forms of stock feed are low, but when the risk of disease is highest," Dr Edgar says.
The CSIRO-developed vaccine is believed to be the first in the world to protect against the toxic effects of a small chemical molecule. Vaccines are usually used to stimulate the immune system of the animal to protect it against bacteria or viruses.
"This type of vaccine has been pioneered by a team of scientists at CSIRO Animal Health and may have future applications to protect against other disease-causing toxic chemicals," Dr Edgar says.
Virbac's development of this Australian technology is indicative of its commitment to providing quality animal health products for Australian farmers.
The Virbac trials are being managed by Dr Jeremy Allen of Agriculture Western Australia. The trials represent an important first step towards commercial registration of the product, which could be available to farmers within three years.
Dr Allen says fifty sheep on each of the five properties have been vaccinated with the trial product, and will receive a booster in mid-November. The vaccinated sheep, together with unvaccinated control groups, will be regularly weighed and blood samples assessed. Wool quality will also be measured.
Results of the trials should be known by June next year.
Lupin stubble is used as fodder in Western Australia, South Australia, and to a lesser extent in Victoria and New South Wales. Self-sown sandplain lupins in Western Australia also represent an under-utilised feed for livestock that may be better exploited following release of the vaccine.
Lupins have revolutionised dryland farming in Australia. They provide a cash seed crop, raise soil fertility, provide a disease break for cereal crops, and the stubble is a valuable summer feed for livestock. However, the benefits of lupin grazing are greatly reduced by the effects of lupinosis.
The CSIRO research was partly funded by wool growers through the Woolmark Corporation.
More information:
For information about CSIRO Animal Health and the development of the vaccine, contact Dr John Edgar or Emma Homes on 03 5227 5123.
For information about the trial of the vaccine, contact Dr Paul Martin of Virbac on 02 9533 2000
(Australia's largest scientific research organisation)
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