What is the future for control of Johnes disease in cattle?
Recently, proposals for programs to eliminate Johne’s disease in cattle herds have been developed. The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Animal Health Branch in cooperation with the California Cattlemen’s Association and other groups has formed a Johne’s advisory group. Programs to certify herd status with respect to Johne’s disease will be developed for California based on the programs approved by national organizations. Herd certification will be particularly important for seedstock or purebred herds. As we all recognize, introducing Johne’s disease into your herd by purchasing high priced bulls or heifers is not progress! Also, because of the insidious nature of this disease, it can be potentially devastating to purebred herds. Infected herds that sell bulls or replacement heifers could lose their markets. Knowingly selling cattle from an infected herd could cause the seller to become liable for future losses by the buyer due to Johne’s disease. The Johne’s disease her
