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The National Dairy BJD Assurance Score - The higher the Score the Higher the Assurance

Note Number: AG1187
Published: December 2005
Updated: November 2010

 

This information note describes the National Dairy bjd Assurance Score, an industry initiative providing a simple method of scoring ALL dairy herds in relation to their likelihood of having, or spreading, bovine Johne’s disease (bjd). Herds may claim a score of between 0 and 10 depending on where the herd is in Australia, the history of bjd, the history and outcomes of testing for bjd, and the calf rearing practices in the herd.

This means that there is now a simple method that will allow purchasers of dairy cattle to compare the relative risk of bjd in a group of dairy cattle being offered for sale with other sale lots, and against the score of their own herd.

If you are purchasing herd replacements you should buy cattle that have a National Dairy BJD Assurance Score that is the same or greater than the basic score for your own herd.

Non-Assessed herds

Non-Assessed (NA) dairy herds, particularly in Southern Australia, are likely to be infected with bjd. Unless safe calf-rearing procedures such as the Johne’s Disease Calf Accreditation Program (JDCAP) or the 3-Step Calf Plan are practiced, cattle from these herds can pose a risk of introducing bjd into a receiving herd.

To reflect this, non-testing Non Assessed herds that had implemented an auditable 3-Step Calf Plan prior to 1 July 2008 have a base score of 3; those that did not have these calf rearing practices in place prior to 1 July 2008 have a base score of 0.

CattleMAP herds

CattleMAP herds are the source of replacement cattle that give the highest assurance of not introducing bjd into a recipient herd. CattleMAP and other tested negative herds with no history of bjd will have a dairy bjd assurance score of 7, 8, 9 or 10.

Calf Credits

Calves reared under an audited JDCAP or an auditable 3-Step Calf Plan are eligible for extra points on the dairy bjd score (3 points for JDCAP calves/heifers, 1 point for QA program 3-step calf plan calves/heifers).

How do I work out my herd score?

Dairy Australia (www.dairyaustralia.com.au/bjd) has published a brochure (“What’s the Score with bjd?”) and Animal Health Australia (www.animalhealthasutralia.com.au) has developed a national declaration form that both use a step by step format to help you work out the appropriate score for the group of cattle that you have for sale. If you need assistance you should contact Dairy Australia, your dairy factory field staff, your private veterinary practitioner or your local DPI animal health staff. Remember, the score you give your cattle must be correct and must be supported by documentary evidence that can be inspected by an auditor.

You can put the dairy score for your cattle on the National Vendor Declaration by simply writing “The dairy score for these cattle is….” in Part B, section 9 and/or use the National Dairy bjd Assurance Score Declaration Form from Animal Health Australia.

Vendors should provide a Dairy bjd Score declaration with every consignment of cattle offered for sale as replacement animals. This is the best way of providing the information a purchaser needs to make an informed decision about buying your cattle.

Further information

Further information about bjd or the score can be obtained from Dairy Australia (www.dairyaustralia.com.au/bjd), Animal Health staff at your nearest DPI office or the DPI website: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/farming/bjd.

Acknowledgements

This Agriculture Note was developed by Dr Sally Ridge and published in December 2005. It was updated in July 2009 by Dr Iain McLaren. This November 2010 version was reviewed by Dr David Champness, Biosecurity Victoria.