Proceedings of the 10th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis

Control Programs Keynote Lecture
Results from <strong>the</strong> US JD Demonstration Herd Project: Key findings
for disease control
Jason Lombard 1 , Charles Fossler 1 , and Michael Carter 2
1 USDA:APHIS:VS, 2150 Centre Ave, Bldg B, Fort Collins, CO
2 USDA:APHIS:VS, 4700 River Rd., Unit 43,Riverdale, MD 20737
The National Johne’s Disease Demonstration Herd Project (NJDDHP) in <strong>the</strong> United States was initiated to
evaluate <strong>the</strong> long-term feasibility and effectiveness <strong>of</strong> management-related practices designed to control
Johne’s disease on dairy and beef cattle operations. The NJDDHP was started in 2003, but a few States
had demonstration herds prior to <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Project. The NJDDHP includes approximately 90
beef and dairy operations in 17 states. The project was designed for 5-7 years. Participating herds began
with culture-confirmed Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) on <strong>the</strong> operation. Risk
assessments and management plans were completed on an annual basis. Six different assessments <strong>of</strong>
effective MAP control will be addressed: Attributes to a successful program as described by <strong>the</strong> investigators,
changes in risk assessment scores by year and cattle class, changes in incidence and prevalence since <strong>the</strong>
beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project, evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> assessment areas to determine practices associated with disease
transmission, and evaluate <strong>the</strong> transmission <strong>of</strong> disease from dam to daughter. Ranked attributes from
investigators addressed calving area/maternity management, producer dedication, motivation and education,
and implementation <strong>of</strong> a feasible program. Although total beef operation risk assessment scores did not
decrease over <strong>the</strong> 5 year period, decreases in risk were observed for <strong>the</strong> calving area and nursing calf area.
Dairy operations scores decreased for calving area, bred heifer area and for operation total score. Fecal
culture prevalence in dairy herds has decreased since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project. The findings from <strong>the</strong>se
operations demonstrate that <strong>the</strong> disease can be managed.
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