Livestock producers can attend a information session on the new Johnes Beef Assurance Score and how to prepare a farm Biosecurity Plan in Singleton on Monday June 19.
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To held at Singleton Diggers Club in York Street the evening will start at 7:00pm with guest speaker being Jane Bennett, veterinarian based in Scone with Hunter Local Land Services.
The information evening is being organised by Singleton Beef and Land Management Association.
The management of Johnes Disease (JD) in Australia changed significantly in July 2016. As part of the new approach to JD, most states have removed government regulation controlling the disease. Producers are now responsible for managing the JD risk on their property and reducing disease spread.
A major component of this new approach is the introduction of the risk-profiling tool for beef cattle producers called the Johnes Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS). This self-assessment system is a guide to the risk of JD in a beef herd and assigns a score from 0 to 8. The higher the score, the lower the risk. NSW beef herds with no history of JD were initially assigned a JBAS score of 7 on 1st July 2016, but that score will drop to zero (0) on July 1, 2017 unless a ‘Farm Biosecurity Plan’ has been implemented to prevent the introduction of JD.
Beef cattle producers in NSW need to determine what JBAS score will satisfy the needs of their buyers. If you are likely to market your cattle to Buyers or Jurisdictions that require a J-BAS assurance then please develop a Biosecurity Plan now before the deadline. It is much easier and cheaper for beef producers to maintain the current interim score of 6 or 7 than to lapse to a J-BAS 0 and then at a later stage work to regain a JBAS of 6, 7 or 8.
Some states (particularly WA and NT) have elected to maintain specific border controls for Johnes Disease. Before moving any livestock to a different state or territory, owners should check the requirements with a local animal health officer or the relevant state or territory website.
Many producers are asking about the difference between transitioning to a J-BAS 6 and J- BAS 7. To maintain a JBAS -7 the biosecurity Plan has to be overseen by a Private Veterinarian and requires triennial (i.e. every third year) herd check testing, of which the first test must be completed by 30 June 2018. A J-BAS 6 only requires producers to develop and prepare their own Farm Biosecurity Plan by the 1st July 2017 deadline. That plan must include measures to prevent the introduction of JD onto the property.
