Scientist at the Moredun Research Institute on the outskirts of Edinburgh have successfully developed a vaccine for the Barber's Pole Worm (Haemonchus contortus), the most important roundworm parasite of sheep and goats in the world.
Fortunately for UK farmers the parasite prefers warmer conditions and so is only a sporadic problem, but in parts of Australia, South Africa and South America it presents a real difficulty for commercial sheep farmers, compounded by the fact that strains resistant to anthelmintic drugs are common and widespread.
Marketed under the trade name Barbervax, it is the first vaccine in the world for a worm parasite of sheep and was registered for use in Australia in early October. The first batch of vaccine, consisting of 300,000 doses, was all sold within 10 days just by word of mouth.
The new vaccine works against all Berbers Pole worms, including drench-resistant ones. It offers a more sustainable form of control, because it is extremely unlikely that vaccine-resistant worms will develop.
Barbervax contains tiny amounts of protein purified from the lining of Barbers Pole intestines. Like all vaccines, it works by stimulating the natural immune response in the animal after injection.
The basis for Barbervax was devised after many years of research at Moredun and commercialised during the last five years through a collaboration with the Albany laboratory of the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, where it is made by Wormvax-Australia, a subsidiary of Moredun.
The ground-breaking vaccine is currently undergoing field trials in 33 different locations around the world. As no pharmaceutical companies are involved, all revenues, that could be worth millions of pounds in the future, will flow back to Moredun.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1243 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £90 per head and 236.7p per kg to average 176p (-13.1p on the week).
There were also 351 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £121 for Texels and £72.50 for Blackfaces.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 16 prime cattle forward in Dumfries yesterday when heifers sold to 233.5p per kg and averaged 208.5p, while bullocks peaked at 208.5p and levelled at 192.8p.
There were 100 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 119.8p and dairy cows levelled at 85.2p.
The firm also sold 1194 prime lambs to a top of £98 and 198p to average 181p (-7.9p).
The 511 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £144 for Texels and average £87 (-80p), while light ewes peaked at £75 for Blackfaces and levelled at £62.24 (-£3.21).
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