Economic Impact
Results showing the estimated economic impact of Johne's disease.
Knowledge and control of Johne's
- Address production (and therefore income) losses that inevitably result from the disease.
- Optimise cull cow price by timely removal from the herd
- Potentially reduce the number of forced culls
- Address the negative animal welfare implications associated with the disease.
- Potentially increase the value of breeding stock for sale
Impact on a suckler herd
Annual cost of Johne's disease in a 100 cow suckler herd - spring calving with an average calf weaning weight of 270 kg.
Description | Calculation | Annual Cost |
Two fewer weaned calves at forecast sale value of ÂŁ540 (ÂŁ2/kg). Production costs are assumed to be ÂŁ54 / head. | 2 calves x ÂŁ486 | ÂŁ3972 |
5 lighter calves at weaning | 5 calves x (36kg x ÂŁ2) | ÂŁ360 |
5 additional female replacements @ ÂŁ1000 / head less 3 culls @ ÂŁ600 / head | (5 x ÂŁ1000) - (3 x ÂŁ600) | ÂŁ3200 |
Typical total annual cost for 100 cow suckler herd infected with Johne's disease |
 |
ÂŁ4532 |
Source: Economic Impact of Health and welfare Issues in Beef Cattle and Sheep in England. EBLEX_Final Report_170413
Impact on a dairy herd
A US study found that Johne's infected animals:
- Gave on average 4,000 kg less milk in their lifetime
- Were 5 times more likely to be lame
- Were 2 times more likely to develop mastitis / SCC problems
- Were 1.8 x more likely to develop digestive problems
Source: Villarano M.A. and Jordan E.R. (2005). Production effects of MAP in dairy cows. Proceedings of International Johne's conference.
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Testing for Johne's
Identify infected animals in the herd as soon as possible so that management decisions may be taken to prevent the spread of infection.
Accreditation Programme & health schemes
Risk Level Accreditation programme enables herds to maintain or move towards clear herd tests.
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