The university of maryland will develop a vaccine against one of the most severe diseases affecting sheep and goats, haemonchus contortus, a gastrointestinal nematode

The University of Maryland, College Park, received a $499,897 Cooperative Agreement from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027. Under this award, the University will develop a vaccine against Haemonchus contortus, a gastrointestinal nematode that represents one of the most severe diseases affecting sheep and goat production in the United States.

The vaccine development initiative directly supports APHIS's mission to protect U.S. agriculture from economically injurious animal diseases. By increasing the availability and accessibility of vaccines targeting this parasitic disease, the project will help sheep and goat producers mitigate significant productivity losses and economic impacts associated with Haemonchus contortus infection. The two-year research effort addresses a critical gap in veterinary biologic products for small ruminant producers, contributing to the broader agricultural resilience objectives outlined in the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program.

The project will benefit sheep and goat producers by increasing the availability and accessibility of vaccines to protect their animals against a disease that severely impacts productivity and threatens their livelihoods and economic opportunities.