The Milk Producer - December 2008 - (Page 43)

NEW’N’NOTED E. coli vaccine gets full approval DHI 2009 conference puts focus on fibre The 2009 CanWest DHI Herd Management Conference will focus on fibre digestibility and its effects on your herd. Ontario dairy producers can attend this conference at one of three locations across the province in January. The one-day conference will be held on Tues., Jan. 20 in Winchester, Wed., Jan. 21 in Tavistock and Thur., Jan. 22 in Drayton. Registration begins at 10 a.m. each day. The program runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Conference presenters and their topics are: • Dr. Randy Shaver, University of WisconsinMadison. The effects of fibre digestibility on diets and production. • Dr. Ann Godkin, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. New information on Johne’s disease and how to deal with Johne’s positive cows. • Bill Grexton. The new Profit Profiler dairy analysis service, giving producers important benchmarks to measure their progress, and fact-based financial predictions for outcomes of proposed changes to their business. At each meeting, an Ontario dairy producer will discuss the effect of balancing for fibre digestibility in their herd. These presentations will provide practical information and new practices attendees can implement within their own herds. Cost is $45, and includes admission, conference proceedings and lunch. Pre-register by Jan. 9 to receive the $35 early-bird price. To register call CanWest DHI at 1-800-549 4373. CanWest DHI appreciates the support of conference sponsors BMO Bank of Montreal, Gencor, Eastern Breeders Inc., Diamond V, Elanco and Agribrands Purina. For more information contact: Bill Grexton at 519-824-2320, ext. 254, or bgrexton@canwestdhi.com. Note: Descriptions of products and services are for the information of our readers only. Publication of this information does not constitute endorsement by The Milk Producer. E. coli bacteria magnified to 10,000 times its actual size. (Photo by Eric Erbe, digital colorization by Christopher Pooley, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture) B ioniche Life Sciences, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company, has received full licensing approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for Econiche, the world’s first vaccine designed to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding by cattle. The product is now available for unrestricted use by Canadian dairy and beef producers and their veterinarians. Most E. coli strains are harmless. Some, like O157:H7, can cause severe illness and even be fatal when ingested by humans from contaminated meat, vegetables or water. Vaccinating cattle with Econiche can help reduce food and waterborne contamination risk. On-farm interventions to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding by cattle, such as vaccinating cattle with Econiche, can potentially reduce food and water contamination, and the consequences associated with human infection with the deadly bacteria. Clinical trials conducted with Econiche, a Canadian discovery developed by Bioniche, have shown a significant reduction in the amount of E. coli shed in the manure of vaccinated cows. “Cows carry E. coli O157:H7 but they don’t get sick,” says Dr. Brett Finlay, University of British Columbia microbiologist and bacterial diseases expert. His research led to the vaccine’s development. “Where the disease comes from is people encountering contaminated food or water, usually from cow feces,” he says. “If we block the colonization of cows by O157, we basically decrease the number that humans are exposed to, thus dropping the disease levels in humans.” Binoniche will manufacture Econiche in its Belleville, Ont. production facility where a $25-million expansion is taking place, supported by the Ontario and Canadian governments. Vaccine supply will be limited during this manufacturing expansion period. For more information, phone 613-966-8058, or visit www.bioniche.com. MilkPRODUCER | December 2008 | 43 http://www.bioniche.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Milk Producer - December 2008

The Milk Producer - December 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
DFO Chair's Message
Dairy Update
DFC Promotion
Industry Roundup
Research
Seven Issues That Matter
Ruminations
Applied Science
Markets
New 'N' Noted
Back Forty

The Milk Producer - December 2008