Proceedings of the 10th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis

#170 Impact <strong>of</strong> Johne’s outreach efforts
Kenneth Earl Olson, JDIP, USA
The Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program (VBJDCP), operational in <strong>the</strong> U.S. since 2002, is
available to producers in all states. Federal funding for <strong>the</strong> program has decreased from $21m in 2003 to
$10.05m in FY08. Metrics used to evaluate effectiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program include herds enrolled as well as “<strong>of</strong>ficial”
samples tested. In FY07 8,818 herds were enrolled in <strong>the</strong> program, including approximately 10% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
dairy herds and roughly 0.3% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> beef cow-calf operations raising concerns relative to <strong>the</strong> effectiveness <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> investment. In contrast to <strong>the</strong>se indicators:
i) 94.1% <strong>of</strong> participants in <strong>the</strong> NAHMS Dairy 2007 study indicated <strong>the</strong>y were fairly knowledgeable or
knew some basics about Johne’s;
ii) 30% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> participants reported participation in a Johne’s program;
iii) 30% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dairy producer in a separate national survey indicated participation in a program;
iv) In addition, many DHIA organizations <strong>of</strong>fer Johne’s milk ELISA testing.
To document outreach activities and identify impacts not captured in current metrics, surveys were developed
and distributed to <strong>the</strong> Designated Johne’s Coordinator in each state as well as select extension, DHIA
and industry representatives. Survey results found:
I) A cadre <strong>of</strong> over 2,000 trained Johne’s certified veterinarians available across <strong>the</strong> nation to work
with producer Johne’s programs;
II) Meetings held with industry groups reach substantial numbers <strong>of</strong> producers;
III) Nearly 200,000 milk ELISA samples are run annually by DHIA with producers paying <strong>the</strong> cost;
IV) DHIA is seeking new ways to provide milk ELISA results with management information to producers.
Survey results demonstrate that outreach activities have had a substantial impact beyond program enrollment.
They will be used to help set directions for implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new Johne’s strategic plan and provide
information useful in maintaining financial support for <strong>the</strong> program.
224