John's, Johnny's, Joane..... hard to pronounce.... Well 92% of beef producers are unaware of Johne's disease. The estimated $2,000,000-$4,000,000 Johne's disease costs the Georgia Beef Industry each year is hard to forget. Good morning, I am Crystal 8888 from 3333 County. Today I will share with you : What is Johne's Disease?
             What are the causes? What are the symptoms? & What are the control methods?
             Imagine this disease as a thief sneaking into your herd and robbing you of profits years before you suspect a problem. Johne's is not a new disease, in any way. A scientist named Heinrich Albert Johne discovered it in 1885. Johne's disease ( also called paratuberculosis) is a chronic mycobacterial infection affecting the lower small intestine of ruminant animals. This bacterium is in the same class as tuberculosis and leprosy.
             The organism that causes Johne's disease or mycobacterium paratuberculosis survives in stagnant water, manure and soil for up to a year. It also withstands freezing at minus 14 degrees centigrade for up to a year. Exposure to direct sunlight, heat and specific disinfectants will kill the organism. Newborn calves or young animals are the most susceptible to infection. The most common source of infection is feces, or manure. Bacteria excreted in feces can contaminate soil and water which is then ingested by other animals. Feed troughs, hay bunks, water tanks, ponds, can be contaminated by an infected animal or indirectly by equipment used to move manure. Newborns can be infected by the manure on the teats or from the colostrum or milk from a diseased cow. As the bacteria slowly grow in the small intestine of the infected animal, the intestinal wall becomes thickened and unable to absorb nutrients.
             It is a slow, progressive disease; infected animals may show no signs of the disease until years after initial infection. The signs of Johne&
             ...