News and Information

Summer 2007 Newsletter for Veterinarians

Winter 2007 Newsletter (.pdf) Includes short articles and updates on:

Johne's Certification workshops
Re-certification meetings

Johne's Program Funding Update

Due to the continuing resolutions that were passed in order to allow the federal government to continue to function without an 'approved' budget, there has been a lot of uncertainty about the status of the Johne's funding.

Since the beginning of the year there have been no federal funds available to provide enrolment incentives for Johne's Certified Veterinarians or herd owners (read more ..) However, the significantly reduced testing costs through PADLS have been continued in spite of the lack of funding.

At the time of this writing (July 2007), it appears fairly certain that we will receive a reasonable amount of funds to support the PA Johne's Certification Process through the end of this year.

The incentives that will be available at least through the end of 2007 are as follows:

New herd enrolments:

Veterinarian - $250.00
Producer - $300.00 ($5/head, max 60) and reduced testing costs*

1st year renewals:

Veterinarian - $150.00
Producer - reduced testing costs*

2nd year renewals:

Veterinarian - $75.00
Producer - reduced testing costs*

*Serum ELISA testing is free of charge. Fecal culture costs $2.00 per sample. Under normal circumstances, no more than the total number of animals 24 mo. and older in the herd will be tested at this cost within a 12 mo. period.

Johne's Certification Workshop

The national Johne's Disease program standards requires that veterinarians who do risk assessments and develop herd plans with their clients are "certified" by participating in an appropriate educational workshop. For veterinarians in Pennsylvania who have not yet been certified may attend Re-Certification Meetings.

Re-Certification Meetings

"Re-certification" is required at least every three years. All veterinarians who were certified in 2004 (or earlier) should plan on attending one of these sessions. Every veterinarian who is doing risk assessments and writing herd plans MUST attend a re-certification session. Read more....

Environmental Culturing

Culturing of environmental samples has been approved as a method for a herd to attain Status Level 1 of the PA Johne’s Herd Certification Process. This method may also be used to screen herds that are participating at the control or management level. A factsheet which outlines the proper sampling procedures has been developed and is available on-line (PDF) and in print from Ernest Hovingh or Dr. Tewari.

Last updated November 21, 2007