Episode 51 – Preventing a devastating Johne’s disease outbreak on farm

Johne’s disease is a devastating disease for farmers to deal with, however it is not uncommon and is both preventable and treatable with a conversation with your vet.

Guests include:

1. Kara Dawson, Veterinary Epidemiologist, LIC
2. Sonja Coombes, Veterinarian, Selwyn Rakaia Vets
3. Steve Skelton, Waikato Farmer

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

LIC Veterinary Epidemiologist Kara Dawson discusses Johne’s disease, how it’s spread, and what research is being done to tackle it in the first place. She discusses the “three-legged stool” approach to preventing Johne’s disease on-farm in the first place. 

Veterinarian at Selwyn Rakaia Vets Sonja Coombes discusses what they look for as a vet to monitor for Johne’s disease, and what kinds of testing farmers can be doing to tackle the disease proactively. 

Waikato Farmer Steve Skelton has experienced Johne’s disease first-hand on his farm, and discusses how they dealt with it at the time, and what they’re doing to manage it now. 

Buy the Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here