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Pfizer Animal Health has launched a new vaccine, Bopriva, for the management of non-breeding beef bulls. 

Bopriva is a vaccine which temporarily reduces testosterone in bulls for a minimum of 12 weeks.  This results in improvements in undesirable bull behaviours such as riding and fighting.  The treated bulls have temperaments more like steers than bulls until the effect gradually wears off.  The main reason for using Bopriva is for winter grazing management of bulls, where bulls can be treated in late autumn and run together in very large mobs through this period.  The vaccination programme is timed so timed so that the effect wears off in the spring. 

Bopriva was extensively trialled on over 7500 bulls on 50 farms throughout NZ in 2009.  Most farms reported positive effects on behaviour, easier management and the ability to successfully run mobs of bulls as large as 200 or more through the winter.  Bopriva requires an initial course of two injections, with the maximum effect seen from 10 days after the second injection.  

A unique feature of Bopriva is that the duration of effect can be extended by extending the interval between the two vaccinations.  This means farmers can manipulate the length of effect to suit their own systems - it also means vaccination timings have to be carefully planned to get the best result. 

Bopriva is strictly for use in non-breeding beef bulls.  Treated bulls should not be on sold for use as service bulls as their fertility will be impaired during and after the period of treatment. 

Bopriva is a unique management tool which can literally take the hassle out of farming bulls.  If you'd like more information on Bopriva or to discuss how it might fit into your system, contact your veterinarian.  

Andrew Russo