Dairy industry success in tackling Johne’s Disease

Farmers are keen to develop solutions to tackle Johnes Disease in the British dairy herd.

This was the key message from Dairy Crest Direct and other organisations at the latest meeting of the industry Action Group on Johnes.

The DCD Johnes initiative,  which offers free 30 cow milk screening, veterinary and farmer advice and farm risk assessments, has  been fully embraced by the DCD membership.

The new measures are all part of the solution to tackling this disease which will help ensure better dairy cow welfare alongside improved farm profitability.

The Action Group on Johnes is a cross-industry body which aims to co-ordinate and focus the range of activities which are being undertaken within the industry to address the issue of Johnes disease on farms and to arrive at common veterinary messages and advice.

Michael Masters of DCD said: We are delighted that our producer-led initiative has been so enthusiastically supported by our members. Our meetings with milk producers and their vets have been particularly well received.

Peter Orpin of MyHealthyHerd presented the latest veterinary advice on solutions to Johnes and said: The Action Group  is making good progress in developing a consistent joined up industry approach to tackling the disease, which will ultimately  need clear, consistent farmer information and veterinary training and advice.

Dairy UK Technical Director Ed Komorowski, who chaired the meeting, said: The Action Group was set up following Dairy UKs conference on Johnes, and this weeks meeting confirms that the industry is united in sharing best practice.

The Action Group on Johnes will next meet in early June.  Members include:

• Dairy UK (Chair)
• Dairy Crest Direct
• DairyCo
• CHECS
• RABDF
• NFU
• Veterinary Laboratories Agency
• BCVA
• Westpoint Veterinary Group Ltd
• Omsco
• RABDF
• Farmers Forum
• Dairy UK NI
• Arla Foods UK
• Wisemans
• Dairy Crest
• Myhealthyherd
• NMR
• Milk Link
• Farmers Union of Wales

Johnes disease (or paratuberculosis) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, often known as MAP, and is a chronic gastrointestinal infection of adult ruminants characterised by diarrhoea, weight loss, emaciation and eventual death. It is not notifiable in Great Britain although it is in Northern Ireland. It has a worldwide distribution.