This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we're joined by Steve Kelly, Commercial Identification Manager at Allflex, and Kim Kelly, Veterinary Technical Advisor at MSD Animal Health.

Allflex has been the sponsor of our podcast since its inception, and it is always great to catch up with the team to hear what they're up to.

In this podcast, we focus on Campylobacter, the bacteria often responsible for causing abortion in sheep.

Abortion storms in sheep can cause devastating effects, yet it is estimated that only 60% of the maiden ewes in New Zealand get a Campylobacter vaccine (despite approximately 88% of New Zealand farms having Campylobacter present on their property).

Kim takes us through the widespread implications of Campylobacter and how abortion storms are really just the tip of the iceberg, as Campylobacter can also cause early embryonic loss, stillbirths or the births of weak lambs that die soon after birth.

We put so much effort into breeding more lambs - why would we risk it all, when prevention, in the form of Campyvax4®, is so cheap?

Knowing more about how Campylobacter works gives you a greater understanding of why and when you should vaccinate your animals to be of the greatest benefit to your sheep and your business.

If you would like to know more about any of the products mentioned in this podcast, you can visit the MSD Animal Health website:
www.msd-animal-health.co.nz.

For Australian listeners, you can contact the Australian team on 1800 226 511 or visit the company’s Australian website, which includes the risk calculator mentioned in the podcast: https://www.coopersanimalhealth.com.au/product/ovilis-campyvax/.

If you are in New Zealand and would like to get in touch with Kim (or another Technical Advisor at MSD Animal Health), phone 0800 800 543.

Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: [email protected].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, and Heiniger Australia and New Zealand. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE
Check out the MSD range HERE
Check out Allflex products HERE