Risk assessment and testing a key element in avoiding Johne’s disease

In 2010, 70 per cent of Ontario dairy producers participated in a voluntary four-year prevention program and organizers are hoping to raise the tally to 100 per cent

by SUSAN MANN

Enniskillen-area dairy farmer Jim Millson always thought he did a great job with calf management. But now he knows for sure thanks to the Johne’s Education and Management Assistance program.

Last November, Millson, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario board member representative on the program’s working group, completed the on-farm risk assessment by his veterinarian and testing as part of the program. Millson’s results revealed his herd was clean and he didn’t have any high titre cows. He had 50 cows tested.

Better Farming - May 2011