Evaluation of TickGARD(PLUS), a novel vaccine against Boophilus microplus,in lactating Holstein-Friesian cows

The effects of vaccination with the Bm 86 vaccine TickGARD(PLUS) against in festation with cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) and of holding cattle on a feedpad until 09:00 hours after the morning milking was tested on 40 mid l actation Holstein cattle using a factorial design. Vaccination resulted in a 56% reduction in tick numbers in the field over one generation, and a 72% reduction in laboratory measures of the reproductive efficiency of ticks. The liveweight gain of vaccinated cattle over 27 weeks was 18.6 kg higher t han that of controls, and vaccinated cattle tended to have lower somatic ce ll count in milk (SCC). There were no other significant differences in meas ures of production. Cattle kept on the feedpad after the morning milking ca rried 26% more ticks than those returned immediately to their paddocks. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.