Johne’s is a debilitating bacterial disease affecting the intestines of cattle, sheep and goats.
The long incubation period makes the disease difficult to detect and prevent. Many animals within a herd may be infected before any clinical signs are observed.
Over the past five years, 15,283 cattle were tested in 106 herds. There were 500 positive tests, which works out to 3.3 percent.
It’s important to note that the results do not represent the average situation in Saskatchewan cattle herd. That’s because many of the producers participating in the surveillance program suspected Johne’s Disease was in their herds already.
The tests are done through a blood sample of matures cows and bulls. The program, which is administered by the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, is funded through the federal/provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The program covers 100 percent of the costs for testing herds of up to 250 head. Producers signing up for the program a second time will need to cover half of the testing cost.
More information is available at:
http://skstockgrowers.com/johnes-disease-surveillance-program/