Johnes monitoring in suckler herds

[Cowgirl]

After it’s died of Johnes lol

A false positive means it did not have Johnes therefore it could not have died of it. Post mortem examination is the only gold standard test for Johnes.

 

[Happy]

I had one either 139% or 149% last year that passed the dung sample test. Put her away anyway but at least it means another clear test (need one more to get to L1)

Have had a look back at last years test. Same cow was at 1%

 

[Old Tip]

Oh,well. After 3 clear tests in a row to finally get to risk level 1 got results of test carried out last week today.
1 positive in 130 tested so back down to risk level 3.

Just goes to show it’s a never ending battle. Been testing 15+ years.

Been there, it was a bought in cow from a risk level one herd
Hopefully back to level one again when I get my results next week

 

[Johngee]

Have had a look back at last years test. Same cow was at 1%

Looks like she's in the early stages of the disease. Worth doing a dung before she goes, if it comes back negative you'll have a clear test,

 

[M-J-G]

I wouldn't get to caught up in the % positive of an animal, they are either positive or negative.

A 30% could be 2% next year or the other way round, but neither really matters.

As for buying an animal in from a level 1 that tested positive, two very important questions must be asked.
How long were they level 1 for?
How long since it left the level 1 premises?

 

[Half Pipe]

Looks like she's in the early stages of the disease. Worth doing a dung before she goes, if it comes back negative you'll have a clear test,

If that's true, then risk level one herds can still be a problem

 

[M-J-G]

If that's true, then risk level one herds can still be a problem

That's why it's called a "risk level"

A newly qualified level 1 doesn't count for much, apart from it looking like it's probably safer bet than a 2 or greater.

A 5 year level 1 is better that 1 year, and 10 years is better again, but it's still a risk level.

Nothing with Johnes is black and white, it's all shades of grey.

 

[Old Tip]

I wouldn't get to caught up in the % positive of an animal, they are either positive or negative.

A 30% could be 2% next year or the other way round, but neither really matters.

As for buying an animal in from a level 1 that tested positive, two very important questions must be asked.
How long were they level 1 for?
How long since it left the level 1 premises?

They had bought in its mother so said they would cull her ASAP but not much help to me mind

 

[M-J-G]

They had bought in its mother so said they would cull her ASAP but not much help to me mind

How long did you have the animal on your farm?

 

[Happy]

Looks like she's in the early stages of the disease. Worth doing a dung before she goes, if it comes back negative you'll have a clear test,

Yes, she’ll definately be going. Not sure if I’ll bother with dung rest. Have had them come back negative to that one year only for same cow to test positive again a year or two later.
Fortunately don’t sell any stock for breeding so won’t make much odds to us commercially. Just trying to have as healthy a herd of our own as we can.

 

[Old Tip]

How long did you have the animal on your farm?

Three years or too long, had two clear tests since, keeping my fingers crossed this test is clear as well

 

[M-J-G]

Three years or too long, had two clear tests since, keeping my fingers crossed this test is clear as well

It is possible that the animal could have picked it up on you farm if it had been there for that long.

 

[Johngee]

Yes, she’ll definately be going. Not sure if I’ll bother with dung rest. Have had them come back negative to that one year only for same cow to test positive again a year or two later.
Fortunately don’t sell any stock for breeding so won’t make much odds to us commercially. Just trying to have as healthy a herd of our own as we can.

I suppose it’s a huge help having a test. I remember my telling me about a breeder who had a clinical case back in the 80’s (obviously no advance) and had to sell everything that had been in that shed with her, about a quarter of his herd. Not sure if this was effective in limiting spread of the disease.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Not sure to be honest.
It’s a huge positive on bloods 226% OD so won’t even bother with dung culture prior to putting her away.
Next highest 14% with most 0% or below.
Cow is 7 years old so will be her 4 or 5th time of testing.

Sadly that's the nature of the disease and why 'Johnes Free' can't really be guaranteed.

 

[Old Tip]

It is possible that the animal could have picked it up on you farm if it had been there for that long.

Possibly but very unlikely as I have never had a positive before or a clinical case in living memory