CATTLE AFFECTED BY JOHNE’S DISEASE

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 19

CATTLE AFFECTED BY JOHNE’S DISEASE

FARMS IN WAIKATO AND TARANAKI DISTRICTS

There was a great deal of concern some time ago among dairy farmers in various parts of the North Island when it was found that that dread disease of cattle—Johne’s disease —had made its appearance on a number of properties.

Latterly nothing has been heard of the trouble, but the annual report of Mr W. C. Barry, director of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture, contains the disquieting information that the disease is spreading.

Mr Barry states that “although confined to the Taranaki and Waikato districts, an extension of the number of farms found affected with this disease has unfortunately to be recorded. In the Waikato the disease was confirmed on eight additional farms, and on seven additional farms in Taranaki. This chronic bacterial infection of cattle presents very great difficulties in the matter of control, a most disappointing feature being the occurrence of further cases on certain farms on which the entire herds have been subjected to twice-yearly tests with the diagnostic agent, Johnin. It is therefore apparent that, at least, on a percentage of farms, the eradication of Johne’s disease presents most formidable difficulties. On the other hand, the position on many farms on which the number of recurring cases is small indicates a more hopeful outlook.”