The Johne’s  Disease Surveillance Program has been renewed for another five years. 

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is the administrator for the program with funding provided under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program.

Johne’s is a debilitating bacterial disease affecting the intestines of cattle, sheep and goats that can be difficult to detect and prevent and usually results in positive animals being culled from the herd.

During the first five years of the program, 15,283 cattle were tested, of which 500 or 3.3%, tested positive. Testing was carried out on a total of 106 herds. At the herd level, 76% had some cattle testing positive.

SSGA President Bill Huber says it’s been a popular program among both purebred and commercial beef producers. The renewal of this program will go a long way to help producers be vigilant about controlling Johne’s Disease,” 

Under the program, mature cows and bulls receive a blood test for Johne’s. If the disease is found in a herd, a Johne’s Disease risk assessment management plan (RAMP) must be completed. The program covers 100% of the costs for testing herds of up to 250 head. New under CAP, the program will cover half of the costs for producers wanting to test a subsequent time.

More information on the Johne’s Disease Surveillance Program is available here.