Agriculture
Johne's Disease
Left undetected and uncontrolled Johne's disease can prove costly to dairy or beef herds or small ruminant flocks. Johne's disease is a progressive, incurable, wasting disease caused by bacterial infection of the intestines and other tissues. It is transmitted from an infected animal to herdmates primarily via the fecal-oral route. Johne's disease is predominantly sub-clinical, meaning infected animals do not show outward signs of illness. This makes identifying infected cattle and managing the disease difficult. However, with diligence and patience, a herd's level of infection can be reduced.
Information on this site and others can help you better understand the disease and how to control it. Work with a veterinarian familiar with Johne's disease risk assessment and management to develop a control strategy that fits your goals.
- Have Questions? Find answers in the Fact Sheets, Newsletters and Resources below
- For Further Information, Contact Us
Johne's Disease Fact Sheets (PDFs)
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- »What is Johne's disease?
- How many herds are affected?
- What kind of animals get the disease? Download Fact Sheet
- »Why care about Johne's disease?
- What are the benefits of controlling the disease?
- Is there a risk to human health? Download Fact Sheet
- »What causes Johne's disease?
- MAP bacteria can persist in the environment?
- MAP bacteria can proliferate in many tissues? Download Fact Sheet
- »How does Johne's disease spread?
- What is the primary route of transmission within herds?
- What is the incubation period MAP? Download Fact Sheet
- »What influences risk of infection?
- How do age and exposure affect risk?
- Why is a super-shredder of special concern? Download Fact Sheet
- »How does the infection progress?
- What is the timline of disease progression?
- What is mean by "the Johne's iceberg"? Download Fact Sheet
- »How can infection be avoided?
- What is the cycle of infection in a herd?
- How can managemnet and testing be used to control infection? Download Fact Sheet
- »How can Johne's disease be managed?
- How can exposure be prevented or minimized? Download Fact Sheet
- »Should I test for Johne's?
- What are some examples of testing strategies?
- What are some common frustrations and coping strategies? Download Fact Sheet
- »How do Johne's disease tests work?
- What types of tests are there?
- How do these tests work? Download Fact Sheet
- »Which testing strategy should I use?
- To find out if this herd is infected?
- To find out if this animal is infected? Download Fact Sheet
- »What do the test results mean
- How accurate are these tests?
- What are sensitivity and specificity? Download Fact Sheet
- »My goals and action plan worksheet
- Johne's disease goals for my herd Download Fact Sheet
- »Goal and action plan review
- Have there been any changes in the farm's goals or objectives, resources, herd health or Johne's prevalence Download Fact Sheet
Johne's Disease
Fact Sheet Compilation
Fact Sheets produced by UVM Extension
Credits & References
Newsletters
back to topBeef
- Bull Buyers Beware - Winter 2013
- Summaries of Recent Research - Fall 2012
- Key Practices to Control Johne’s - Summer 2012
- Johne’s Disease Testing and What to Feed Baby Calves - Spring 2012
- Don’t Buy Johne’s Disease - Winter 2012
- Managing Manure to Manage Johne’s Disease - Summer 2011
- Johne’s 101 - Spring 2011
- Progression of Johne’s Disease - Winter 2011
- Overview of the Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program - Fall 2010
Dairy
- Online Risk Assessment - Winter 2013
- Summaries of Recent Research - Fall 2012
- Key Practices to Control Johne's - Summer 2012
- Johne's Disease Testing and What to Feed Baby Calves - Spring 2012
- Don't Buy Johne's Disease - Winter 2012
- Managing Manure to Manage Johne's Disease - Summer 2011
- Johne's 101 - Spring 2011
- Progression of Johne's Disease - Winter 2011
- Overview of the Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program - Fall 2010
Related Resources
back to topWebsites
-
Johnes.org
Comprehensive information on Johne's disease -
JDRAP.org
Johne's Disease Risk Assessment Program online tool for producers
Publications
The following resources are in PDF format. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are also available in print and can be obtained by contacting julie.m.smith@uvm.edu.
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture has published some handy brochures and booklets through the National Johne's Education Initiative.
- Johne's Disease Q&A for:
- Johne's Disease Prevention/Control Pocket Guide Checklists for:
- The Cost of Johne's Disease to Dairy Producers* (English)
- El Costo al Productor Lechero de la Enfermedad de Johne* (En Español)
- Johne's Disease in Cattle* (Fact Sheet, 4 Pages)
The Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program is explained in the following document and newsletters for beef and dairy producers.
- Johne's Disease Control Program for Dairy and Beef Producers
- Fall 2010 Johne's Newsletter :
- Uniform Program Standards for the Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program (Effective September 1, 2010)
- How to do Risk Assessments and Management Plans for Dairy and Beef Herds (revised Oct. 2011)
Contact
back to topUniversity of Vermont Extension Dairy Specialist
Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science
Burlington, VT 05405
Julie.M.Smith@uvm.edu
Last modified January 18 2013 11:10 AM