The Ministry for Primary Industries is backing a project which aims to develop a modified live virus vaccine against Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD).
The project would focus on developing an effective immunogen that was safe to use on New Zealand farms, Mr Hoggard said.
"Cattle infected with BVD suffer a range of symptoms, including reproductive losses, reduced growth rates and lowered milk production."
He said the disease ultimately lead to cattle’s death.
The disease impacts about 80% of New Zealand’s dairy and beef herds and costs farmers more than $150 million every year in direct production losses and $40million in ongoing expenses from BVD control.
New Zealand currently has three registered vaccines for BVD, with an efficacy rate of about 60% to 65%.
The current vaccines use the inactivated BVD virus as the immunogen. They require a two-dose initial vaccination followed by annual revaccination.
"This leaves significant room for improvement. The existing vaccines are all from overseas, so this will be the first ever project to develop a vaccine specific to New Zealand strains of BVD.
"This is an opportunity for Kiwi ingenuity to shine and help protect our dairy and beef herds."
The new vaccine aims to stimulate a higher and faster immune response using a modified live virus vaccine and will only require a single dose.
