New techniques that can improve Johne’s disease management in dairy herds, including a new priority cull report, have been welcomed by more than 90 vets attending masterclasses on the disease at venues across the UK.
Cull report
“A dedicated cull-cow report is an important step forward in Johne’s management, and one we are encouraging vets and farmers to use,” said National Milk Records (NMR) vet Karen Bond, who is a key speaker at the masterclass vet meetings.
“It (cull cow report) identifies cows with two consecutive results above 60 and/or one result above 100,” Bond explained.
“These cows are ‘losing control’ of the disease and are likely to be shedding large amounts MAP (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis).
“They are the highest risk animals in the herd and the ones that should be prioritised for culling.”
Other key speakers include vet and Johne’s disease consultant Peter Orpin and director of PAN Livestock Service James Hanks.
Organised by NMR, with support from the Action Group on Johne’s, milk processors and retailers, these vet masterclasses also look at new UK data on the economics of Johne’s disease and on the use of the Average Test Value (ATV) and Johne’s Progress Tracker to improve outcomes on farm.
Johne’s disease
Johne’s disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). The bacteria affects the gut of cattle, causing diarrhoea and wasting.
MAP can easily be spread from one animal to another, particularly if you feed a calf colostrum from an infected cow – which is easily done due to Johne’s disease often not showing symptoms until it is too late.
