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Bovine Johne’s Disease: Guidelines for Shows and Sales

Note Number: AG0919
Published: December 2005
Updated: November 2010

 

Fig 1.  Young stock are particulary at risk of infection when attending shows and sales.

Preventing the spread of bovine Johne's disease (bjd) when cattle are at shows and sales can easily be achieved by taking a few simple precautions.

The main biosecurity principles for bjd prevention are that cattle must not eat or drink anything that could be contaminated by the manure of adult cattle. As calves less than 12 months of age are the most susceptible group, particular attention needs to be paid to their separation from cattle of different bjd status.

A common condition of entry to shows and sales is that the bjd status of the herd must be declared, allowing separation of cattle of different status (refer to Information Note AG0916: Understanding bovine Johne's disease statuses). Separation includes areas where each group is exercised, washed, fed, watered or stalled.

The different groups should be stalled in order of bjd status. For instance, 'Infected' status animals (if allowed to attend) should be at one end and CattleMAP stock at the other. If the venue has high and low areas, the CattleMAP groups must be at the higher levels so any effluent can run downhill and only low-risk effluent passes near other stock. Separate entry/exit points and access lanes may be needed. Dairy cows may also need low-risk areas for milking. Owners and handlers must be aware of the show or sale bjd requirements and abide by them. If these rules are not adhered to, bjd statuses can be jeopardised, as well as the future of the show or sale for interstate or Monitored Negative stock.

If CattleMAP herds are present at a show or sale, a detailed plan of all venue fixtures such as sheds, rings, watering points and wash down areas should be available. It must be clear which status of cattle can use particular areas. Every effort should be made to thoroughly clean after events, even if the venue is only used once a year. The complete removal of all bedding, with decontamination of surrounding areas, is essential. Other aspects to be considered include supplying clean water and feed, how to cope with stock transport, and bedding material (if provided). There should be a contingency plan for escaping animals, fires and other factors that could put at risk the disease status of the cattle.

Further information

Further information about bjd can be obtained from your private veterinarian, DPI Animal Health staff or refer to the DPI web site: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/farming/bjd.

Acknowledgements

The Agriculture Note was developed in December 2005by Alan Ross, Animal Health Field Services. This November 2010 version was reviewed by Dr David Champness, Biosecurity Victoria.