USDA Renews Fight to Eliminate Johne's Disease

The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has renewed its efforts against Johne's Disease by awarding $4.8 million over four years to a programme designed to control and eradicate the disease.

26 March 2008

2 minute read

North America

"Johne's is a serious disease affecting large numbers of beef and dairy cattle and accounts for more than $200 million in economic losses," said Gale Buchanan, USDA under secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The continuation of this research will help develop practical solutions to ensure a safe and healthy food supply and stable economy."

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"The continuation of this research will help develop practical solutions to ensure a safe and healthy food supply and stable economy."

The continuation of this research will help develop practical solutions to ensure a safe and healthy food supply and stable economy.

Johne's disease (pronounced "YO-knees") is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria most often seen in ruminant animals. It causes weight loss, decreased milk production and reduced fertility. Current estimates indicate that up to 70 percent of U.S. dairy herds, and a smaller percent of beef herds, are infected with the disease.

CSREES' National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program initially funded JDIP in 2004 with a 3-year, $4.4 million grant. The continuation of the program will focus on developing new diagnostic tests, vaccines and strategies to help producers manage, control and prevent the disease. The program began with 70 scientists from 24 leading academic and government institutions and has since grown to more than 170 researchers around the globe. The first three years of research, education and extension activities helped the group better understand the transmission cycle of the disease and develop improved sampling and testing strategies that are being used by producers and incorporated into the Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program (VBJDCP).

JDIP contributed to the development of an online Johne's disease veterinary certification program, which was adopted by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's VBJDCP. More than 1,000 registrants have accrued more than 4,500 continuing education hours through the program. Six free online instruction modules for producers, including one Spanish-language module, were also created.