MAKE CALVES THE FOCUS FOR JOHNE’S DISEASE CONTROL
Animal Science
Phillip Durst
Sr. Extension Dairy & Beef Educator
MSU EXTENSION
West Branch
Abstract
“Focus on the calf” is the bottom line conclusion of the Michigan Johne’s Disease Control Demonstration Project. The project was a long-term look at what happened to the prevalence of the disease in nine Michigan herds, eight dairy and one beef, that undertook Johne’s Disease (JD) control programs. Areas of risk for disease transmission on farms were identified during risk assessments of each herd at their enrollment in the project. After meeting with their herd veterinarian and the project personnel, producers chose the management practices that they would implement in accordance with their goals. Annually, herds were tested, usually using both fecal cultures and blood serum ELISA tests, to track the changes in disease prevalence. The project also included related studies on these farms including environmental sampling and cow hide swab cultures. The farms, enrolled for four to seven years, reduced the prevalence of JD, reduced the number of cattle being detected with clinical signs of JD, and increased overall herd health. In every herd in this demonstration project, producers made significant changes in how calves were managed.
Authors: Durst, P.
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Durst, P. Extension Dairy & Beef Educator, MSU Extension, Michigan, 48647