Posted 16 Mar 09

Johne’s disease is a chronic, contagious and sometimes fatal infection that affects the small intestine of ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer. While a significant amount of research has been carried out both in NZ and internationally, the disease remains difficult to control and can be extremely costly for those who are impacted.The Johne’s Disease Research Consortium (JDRC) is a newly formed initiative partnering the beef, sheep, dairy and deer industries with the Johne’s research community with the aim of speeding the development of efficient and effective tools that will help farmers control and reduce the prevalence of the disease.



Have you seen our survey? Earlier this year JDRC researchers from Massey University sent out a survey to a number of beef, sheep, dairy and deer farmers in the Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Canterbury, West Coast, and Southland looking at the incidence of Johne’s disease. The survey also includes questions about Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that affects both animals and humans. The survey is a key tool to help JDRC develop an understanding of the prevalence of these diseases in New Zealand and guide our work into developing techniques to reduce production loss and thereby increase farm productivity. The information from the survey is strictly confidential and will not in any way affect the privacy of individual farmers, practice clients or veterinarians.



If you have seen and returned the survey, thank you very much. You are in the draw to win 1 of 3 portable DVD players. If you have not seen a survey and would like to participate, there is still a chance to enter the draw. Please contact the JDRC researchers to have a survey sent to you.

Contact: C.verdugo@massey.ac.nz or c.heuer@massey.ac.nz

Phone: 06 3505903 or 06 350 5948