A new programme aimed at the control of Johne's disease on Irish farms has been launched by Animal Health Ireland (AHI).

The programme, which has been developed by the Johne's disease Technical Working Group (TWG) and approved by the Implementation Group (IG), is aimed at supporting beef and dairy farmers in controlling what AHI referred to as a "difficult and costly disease".

Johne's disease is a chronic, incurable and ultimately fatal condition that slowly wastes cattle, draining their condition, fertility, and milk yield.

The disease is estimated to cost the Irish dairy industry between €11.24 million and €23.85 million per year, driven mainly by lost milk yield, premature culling, and reduced cull value.

The aim of the new programme is to support farmers to effectively control Johne's disease while offering a progression plan for each registered Irish Johne’s Control Programme (IJCP) herd to improve its Johne’s health status over time.

Components

The new IJCP has three key components, each designed by the TWG to inform, educate, and support farmers:  

Herd-Level Report: This shows the farmer where their herd stands overall, pulling the whole herd's Johne's picture over a period of time into one clear view;
Individual Animal Report: This drills down to animal level, flagging the specific cows and bulls causing concern so they can inform testing, management and culling decisions;
Johne's Progression Report: This tracks the herd's journey over time, showing how it is advancing through the programme against its own targets.

Farmers who are eligible to join the programme will also receive free veterinary support through the Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH).

‘Unseen impact’ 

Johne's disease programme manager at AHI, Dr. Liam Doyle said: "Johne's disease is one of the most serious, debilitating and costly diseases affecting Irish livestock farms.

“Although incurable, Johne's disease is something that can be controlled through patient and strategic management of the disease.”

Doyle added that AHI has worked “diligently” with the TWG to develop the Irish Johne's Control Programme, which he said will “support farmers who are impacted and empower their vets to aid them on this journey”.

He said: “There is a huge prize for farmers and the entire agri-industry to be involved in the new IJCP; healthier herds, improved profitability and an enhanced reputation."

Chair of the Johne's disease TWG, Prof. Conor McAloon said: "Johne's disease does not develop dramatically in your herd, in fact unchecked it will spread slowly and progressively over years.

“This is the basis for the work we have done as a TWG in developing a new control programme that will last the test of time and support an industry that needs to effectively tackle the disease."  

Prof. McAloon described the new IJCP as "a real gamechanger" in controlling the disease's prevalence.

He added that, by showing leadership now, “we can leave a long-lasting legacy that ensures this and subsequent generations will have healthier and more productive herds, something which is key to our €20 billion agri-food export sector".

Johne’s disease

Johne's disease is caused by paratuberculosis, a subspecies of Mycobacterium avium, which is related to infectious organism that causes tuberculosis (TB).

The disease causes chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, and infertility. As there is little chance of recovery from an infection, it often proves fatal.

The infection is common with dairy herds, and significantly reduces an animal's milk yield before displaying any other symptoms, making it difficult for farmers to spot or diagnose.

If a farm has poor management control, the contagious disease will spread silently, making it extremely difficult to detect and terminate the disease.

Previous studies have suggested that the disease can cost approximately 1% of gross milk revenue, which is the equivalent of losing more than €30/cow in a year.