Animal Health Ireland (AHI), along with the Johne’s Disease Implementation Group, has agreed to continue its Johne’s Disease pilot control programme for the remainder of 2015.

Dr Sam Strain, manager for the pilot control programme, has said that re-enrolment forms have been issued to the 1,700 farmers already in the programme with scope now for an additional 300 new farmers to join the programme in the second half of the year.

Johne’s disease (JD) is an infectious bacterial disease that results from infection with Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) and causes a chronic wasting disease in cattle, with young calves particularly susceptible.

Under the programme, assessments are carried out on farms involving the examination of five elements of farm management: animal movement history, calf management, heifer management, cow management and management of the calving cow.

When on-farm risks are identified, the vet and farmer agree a number of changes to combat the problems.

Listen to a recent Irish Farmers Journal podcast recorded in April discussing the Johne’s Disease pilot control programme.

Click here if you cannot play the podcast