Control of Johne’s Disease

12 September 2008

Calf health is a serious issue for farmers, according to a Volac survey of 300 dairy farmers. “Three quarters of the producers interviewed indicated that disease was the biggest problem associated with calf rearing,” according to Volac’s calf milk replacer specialist, Maggie Gould.

 Whole milk has been associated with health problems on farm, usually due to its variable nature and ability to transfer diseases from dam to calf. Johne’s disease, which is now of major significance among the modern dairy herd, can be spread by a range of practices, including feeding pooled colostrum and whole milk to calves.”, explains Maggie. “One way to reduce disease risk is to introduce calf milk replacer as soon as the calf has consumed adequate colostrum - 10% of body weight within the first 12 hours after birth with a minimum of 3 litres within the first 6 hours.

 “The number of Johne’s diagnoses has increased in UK dairy herds by more than 100% in the four years to 2004” explains SAC vet George Caldow, “and the trend is continuing upwards. Such high prevalence of infection is associated with many management factors adopted by an industry striving to keep costs under control.”

 “Johne’s is accompanied by a cost. Yield potential is impaired in infected cattle to the extent that herds with a high level of infection could suffer lost milk value worth an estimated £5,500 per 100 cows per year,” he says urging producers to adopt the following plan.

 1, Discuss with the herd’s vet. Include a Johne’s control programme within the herd health plan.

 2, Focus on biosecurity in the herd replacement policy. Search for closed herds and then ask for a whole herd test before deciding to purchase.

 3, Regularly screen stock within the home herd. Test cows that are not yielding to potential, those that have lost excessive body condition and any showing intermittent or persistent diarrhoea.

 4, Implement best practice in managing dry cows, calving and calf rearing. Keep cows as clean as possible; calve cows on their own, don’t feed pooled colostrum, waste or tank milk to young calves.

 “For herds already infected with Johne’s the same rules apply with special emphasis on calving and calf-rearing aspects,” says Mr Caldow.

Maggie Gould adds: “If Johne’s significance is to be reduced within dairy herds, then the disease should be included within individual Farm Health Plans. Adopting preventative measures results in healthier animals and healthier profits.”

-ends-

Back to news