RESEARCH into the development of combination vaccines tackling commercially significant venereal diseases in cattle will get a boost through research grants announced this week.

Among three animal and plant science grants made this week, Professor Ala Tabor from the University of Queensland’s Centre for Animal Science has received a $175,816 Economic Accelerator Ignite Round One grant for a proof-of-concept trial for a combination vaccine for two venereal diseases in cattle.

“We’re targeting Vibrio (bovine genital campylobacteriosis) and trichomoniasis and think a dual vaccine, if it proves to be effective, would be more attractive to the industry,” Prof Tabor said.

“To date there is no trichomoniasis vaccine available in Australia and a combination vaccine has not been tested here,” she said.

A combination vaccine has not been tested in Australia to date. It’s hoped the trial will demonstrate faster clearance of the diseases in vaccinated animals compared to unvaccinated animals.

The trial will take about a year to 15 months to complete.

“It’s good to have this project supported as it will help us to develop a better commercial product for industry adaptation,” Prof Tabor said.

• The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland established with and supported by the Department of Primary Industries.