The Silent Enemy (Continued from Page A 1) death although it continues to feed. There is no cure for Johncs. What makes this disease,, sp frightening is that it is incurable, hard to detect and spreads years before the clinical symptons sur face. Young stock arc most sus ceptible to this incidious disease. Generally calves are exposed to and become infected in the first few weeks of life, but may not develop clinical signs of weight loss or diarrhea for two to eight _ years. Animals remain suscepti- economic losses mount up: ble to the disease until they reach -decreased milk production 1 ear-old. 'increased susceptibility to The Johnes organism is spread ot^ r diseases primarily through the ingestion of *} oss 6 enetic potential fecal matter. Separating adult ani- *f oss ® x POrt market mals from calves is critical to halt- •increased medical costs ing the spread of Johnes. Also, ’weight loss at slaughter calves must be taken from mothers *i° ss at auctlon sa ' es animals arc birth to prevent the possibility have a statement that says exposed of fecal iniake to J °bnes disease (Johne s is a The infected animals may cany reportable disease to the Bureau of the disease for several years and Animal Industry). Also, the aver shed the organisms which spread a B® difference in body weight the disease through the herd. But between a Johnes positye ammal not until the stress of a second or and a Johnes free animal is approx - third freshening brings out the visi- imately 110 pounds, ble symptons will the Johnes dis- Infected animals shed the organ eases be suspected. Any animal i sms in fecal matter. The organ wilh diarrhea should be immedi- isms may survive for many months Omolene Carefully Reformulated for Better Results. Qmolene 100® Qmolene 200® - Qmolene 300® 6 S. Vintage Rd. Rt- 82 Paradise. PA 17562 Unionville. PA 18375 (717) 442-4183 (215) 347-2377 (717) 768-3301 , Registered trademark ol Ralston Purina Company atcly isolated from the entire herd. “The buyer doesn’t have a good way of protecting himself. But I strongly suggest the dairy farmer isolates all new purchases and have each one tested for Johnes,” said Hutchinson. It takes 3-4 months to get the results and it may be extra work, but compared to the potential loss from Johnes it is well worth it. Johnes is the most eco nomically important disease for southeastern farmers.” New and Improved • Properly fortified • Sweet feed • Added vegetable oil For Active Pleasure Horses For Performance & Breeding - For Brood Mares and Foals kssMius H. [ PURINA chows] and irt some cases for years in the environment. The major source of infection to cattle is through direct fecal contamination of fccdstuffs. It is important to take these neces sary precautions: •separate calves from dams at birth •house all young stock separate ly from older cows •prevent fecal contamination from feeds •keep new animals separate from herd until they have been tested and certified free of Johnes (this becomes easier with the new lest soon to be available) •discourage visitors from enter ing feed rooms and feed alleys unless boots are washed and disinfected •protect the herd from rodents, birds and pets which travel from neighboring farms »o not mix replacement animals with the adult herd until they are alleast two-years-old. •keep feeding bunks well-above ground to minimize fecal contamination •do not spread manure on per manent pasture used for grazing cattle •protect young cattle from all waste water and drainage that may come from areas occupied by adult animals Horses •fence off or fill in any stagnant water source and allow cattle to drink from only tanks or free flow ing stream What docs this mean for area dairy farmers. “If I were buying any dairy ani mals or stock, I would not buy from a non-certificd herd,” said Dr. Brian K. Reed, D.V.M., of Hutchison & Trayer Veterinary Associates in Denver. “Those far mers who have their herd certified negative for Johnes will be the leaders in the industry.”. _ At present certification is a slow-process. There is a waiting line to get on the state program and the test results are slow in coming. However, it is a place to begin. Starting now will give that farmer an edge not only when the test results do come in and they are negative, but it is of greater impor tance if the tests show even one animal positive. For the purebreed breeder the losses can be devastating. ‘“‘The Pennsylvania indemnity program will pay the farmer only if his herd is on the state testing prog ram, if a technician appraises the worth of the animal, and the ani mals which test positive are sent to Running stronger than ever... THE NEW 900 SERIES “MUSTANG” HIGH PROFITS LOW MAINTE DARE to COMPARE Cali to arrange for an on site demonstration today. to/CSJE equipment (717) 354-4241 i / a j p.o. box 567, rout© 322 (/I /; • 00/-00U4 milroy, pa 17063 /ai rv QOOO 37 industrial blvd, (215) 640-9222 paoii, pa 19301 the slaughter house within 30 days from tests results,” said Hutchin son. “Last year the state paid out $125,000 in indemnity money.” The indemnity payment falls far short of the worth of a registered, high-indexed, good pedigreed ani mal. Working on preventing the spread are breed associations, Pen nsylvania Farmers Association, Pennsylvania Grange and other farmers groups across the state are working with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Animal Industry on a testing plan. Under this plan, specific and strict requirements must be met for a dairymen to earn a Johnes free certificate. This plan could be in effect by the end of 1988. It would be voluntary. Formulating and putting into operation an accrediting plan for Johnes is and will be a slow pro cess. Until the time when breeders can display their Johnes free certi ficate and potential buyers can be reasonably assured they are bring ing Johnes free cows onto their farm, precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of this destructive disease. A dairymen’s milking herd is too much to lose. 780 east main street new holland, pa 17557
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