Following a national review of the management of Bovine Johne’s Disease there have been a number of changes in how Johne’s disease will be managed nationally.
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These changes include a move to a less regulated program with a focus on a risk based approach at farm level.
North Coast Local Land Services is running a series of information sessions to help livestock producers make the transition. With information sessions already held in Dorrigo and Casino, the interest so far has been overwhelming.
Jo McGoldrick, Manager Biosecurity and Emergency Services said, “The Casino event attracted more than 140 attendees and we had to close registrations at that event due to the size of the venue.
“In response to the level of interest by livestock producers and we have added a new information session in Lismore on Thursday, 29 June at the Lismore Worker’s Club.
“An additional information session will also be held at the conclusion of the George and Foreman Fat Cattle Sale at the Murwillumbah saleyards on 3 July, commencing at approximately 10.00 am.
“These new sessions add to events being held at Wauchope Golf Club on 27 June, Kempsey Golf Club on 28 June, South Grafton Ex Servicemen’s Club on 28 June and Macksville Ex-Services Club on 29 June,” Jo said.
Animal Health Australia have developed a number of tools to assist producers manage the risk of Johne’s disease on their farms. One of the key components of the program is the Johne’s Beef Assurance Score, or JBAS.
The JBA-S is a risk profiling tool which provides some information on the Johne’s disease risk of the cattle. Producers with herds who wish to maintain a J-BAS of 7 will need to have a biosecurity plan implemented, in consultation with their private veterinarian, by 30 June 2017. To maintain a J-BAS of 7, triennial testing is also required, with the first test needing to be completed before 30 June 2018.
Producers with herds in New South Wales that have no history of infection or, where there have been no clinical cases for at least five years, who do not implement a plan overseen by a veterinarian, will revert to a J-BAS of 6 from 1 July 2017.
North Coast Local Land Services are holding information sessions covering these changes.
The session in Wauchope is on Tuesday June 27 from 10am to 12 noon. Contact North Coast Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.
These information sessions will also cover coming changes to the livestock production assurance (LPA) program announced recently by Meat and Livestock Australia, including the requirement for properties to have an on farm biosecurity plan in place from 1 October 2017.
Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
