26 NOVEMBER 2024 – ACTION JOHNE’S CONFERENCE
Conference Objectives
The Action Johne’s Initiative is one of the UK’s most important dairy cattle endemic disease control programmes. It has achieved huge strides in tackling Johne’s Disease in the UK dairy herd with strong positive impacts on the health and welfare of UK dairy cows, farm management practices, and dairy farm profitability.
The conference will take stock of the initiative and map out its future. The primary focus of the event will be the launch Phase III of the initiative. It will also:
- Look at developm
- ents in other countries
- Review progress to date
- Examine data and lessons from the Johne’s Tracker database
- Share best practice
- Provide an opportunity for stakeholders to give feedback
Programme
The conference will start with a presentation by Lyndon Edwards, Chair of the Action Group on Johne’s. To provide context a speaker from Defra will set out the UK’s policy on endemic disease control and how Johne’s fits into it. Maarten Weber, from Royal GD of the Netherlands, will survey the international Johne’s disease control landscape.
After the coffee break James Hanks of PAN Livestock will give an overview of the information and analyses available from the Johne’s Tracker database. Pete Orpin, Chair of the Johne’s Technical Group, will set out Phase III of the Action Johne’s Initiative. Dr. Elke Stellbrink of IDEXX will present on the field experience of the IDEXX Johne’s Disease Elisa Test.
After lunch Karen Bond will cover off BCVA training, the certification process required by the scheme and the impact of TB testing. Miranda Poulson of AHDB will describe the activities of the Delivery Team. This will be followed by two case studies, one covering spring block calving, and the second all year-round calving.
The final session will provide an opportunity for feedback and further questions to speakers.
Who Should Attend
Any individual in the UK dairy supply chain who is interested in the management and reduction of Johne’s disease and the bacterium that is causing this disease: vets, dairy f
armers, supply group representatives, farm union staff, milk purchaser farm liaison personnel, milk procurement executives, and industry public relations and customer liaison staff. Vets in particular will obtain a detailed appreciation of the future direction of the scheme.
Milk purchasers that are members of the NJMP are expected to send a leading dairy farmer and an individual responsible for farm liaison.
Conference Programme
9.15 – 10.00 – Registration and Coffee
10.00 – 10.10 – Introduction and Welcome Lyndon Edwards, Chair of the Action Group on Johne’s
10.10 – 10.30 – UK Endemic Disease Control Policy and Johne’s Defra speaker to be confirmed
10.30 – 11.00 – Progress in JD Control – The International Context Maarten Weber, Royal GD of the Netherlands
11.00 – 11.20 – Coffee Break
11.20 – 11.50 – Johne’s Tracker Database James Hanks, PAN Livestock
11.50 – 12.35 – Phase III of the NJMP Pete Orpin, Chair of the Johne’s Technical Group
12.35 – 1.00 – I
DEXX Johne’s Disease Elisa Test – Field Experience Dr. Elke Stellbrink of IDEXX
1.00 – 2.00 – Lunch
2.00 – 2.30 – The BCVA and Action Johnes (TB, Training, Veterinary Certification) Karen Bond, NML
2.30 – 2.45 – The Role of the AHDB Miranda Poulson of AHDB
2.45 – 3.30 – Case Studies a) Spring Calving b) Year-round Calving
3.30 – 4.00 – Feedback, Discussion and Close Lyndon Edwards, Chair of the Action Group on Johne’s
Background
The Action Johne’s Initiative is the implementation of the National Johne’s Management Plan.
The plan is overseen by the Action Group on Johne’s which is the industry committee, supported by Dairy UK, that takes the lead on pushing forward Johne’s management in the UK. The Group consists of organisations from the dairy industry supply chain that are committed to tackling Johne’s disease. The Johne’s Technical Group provides input on technical issues. The Johne’s Management Group undertakes the management of the scheme.
Fees raised from milk purchaser members of the scheme and a contribution from AHDB are used to finance the AHDB Delivery Team (which amongst other activities provides the scheme website) and the Johne’s Tracker database operated by PAN Livestock.
IDEXX
IDEXX is a global driver of diagnostic solutions for livestock, poultry, and the quality and safety of water and milk. IDEXX has been at the forefront of animal diagnostics for many years and takes pride in being recognised for expertise in this field. IDEXX’s commitment to innovation has led to the development of cutting-edge products, such as the Paratuberculosis Screening Ab Test and RealPCR MAP DNA Mix. For more information, please visit bovine.idexx.info/paratuberculosis.
Registration
To register for the conference please email pdawson@dairyuk.org with the information set out below.
A fee of £75 will be charged for each delegate. A discount rate of £40 is available for dairy farmers. An invoice will be issued by Dairy UK after the conference.
Display Stands
There is room in the conference venue for organisations to put up display stands. The fee is £200. If you are interested in doing so please contact pdawson@dairyuk.org
Directions
The venue is the Sixways Stadium, Warriors Way, Worcester, WR3 8ZE, which is just off Junction 6 of the M5 motorway.
Alternatively take a train to either Worcester Shrub Hill Station or Worcester Foregate Street Station and a 15 minute ride in a taxi.
Registration Details For Conference Attendees
(please cut and paste into an email and provide the relevant information)
Name:
Job Title:
Profession:
Organisation:
Organisation website address:
Email address (for all conference communications):
(Please repeat for each subsequent attendee)
Invoice information
Email address for invoice (if different):
Company name:
Company address:
Consent to receive further information
Please indicate whether you consent to receive further information from the Action Group on Johne’s on information relevant to Johne’s control.
Yes:
No:
