Researchers at the University of Missouri say trials show that its vaccine works to protect cattle against tick-borne acute anaplasmosis.
The vaccine was developed by knocking out a gene.
Farmers, ranchers and veterinarians typically counter anaplasmosis with feed additives based on tetracycline.
That could result in tetracycline-resistant bacteria multiplying and sickening cattle.
Another approach has been development of live or killed vaccines, but success is limited, the research team at the University of Missouri wrote in their research report.
The research team is continuing its testing to determine how wide the immunity extends among the many strains of the disease.
Until 2014, anaplasmosis was a reportable disease which the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would try to eliminate.
When it became more widespread in the United States and Canada, the CFIA dropped the reporting mandate, but asked veterinarians to tell it when they detected it.
When the CFIA bowed out, if left it to farmers and ranchers to deal with it.
The Missouri researchers estimate it costs the U.S. industry about $1.6 billion.
