Johnes disease: How more flock data will help manage the disease

clock • 1 min read

 

Our expert panel also discuss Virbac's Gudair vaccine and how the vaccine provides reassurance and performance in livestock against this Ovine disease.

Often fatigued sheep can be seen as signs of fluke or similar illnesses but that may not be the case and shockingly Ovine Johnes Disease is the cause.

What is Johnes Disease (OJD)?

Johne's Disease is a chronic wasting disease; the infection causes inflammation of the gut, so animals are not able to absorb the nutrients they require. They get thinner and thinner and essentially starve to death.

Round Table Attendees

Fiona Lovatt, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS, Sheep Specialist Peers Davies 

Ben Strugnel, BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS, Farm Post mortems Ltd

Ben Briggs, Editor In Chief, Farmers Guardian

Maddy Lewis, Sheep Farmer, Gudair User

Ioan Humphreys, Sheep Farmer

Bizza Walters, Sheep Farmer

 

 

More on Sheep

Sheep total mixed ration feed bolstered by beans at Myerscough College

Sheep total mixed ration feed bolstered by beans at Myerscough College

Feeding a total mixed ration to sheep based partly on home-grown beans has helped cut costs, improve animal health and meet sustainability goals on Myerscough College farms

Farmers Guardian
clock 22 June 2026 • 9 min read
Award-winning start at Royal Highland Show drives Falnash Bluefaced Leicester flock forward

Award-winning start at Royal Highland Show drives Falnash Bluefaced Leicester flock forward

Lisa Fleming established her Falnash Bluefaced Leicester flock in 2021, winning a major Royal Highland Show award the following year which ignited her passion for showing

Wendy Short
clock 12 June 2026 • 7 min read
Final farewell: Westcarse Suffolks head to the Royal Highland Show one last time before dispersal

Final farewell: Westcarse Suffolks head to the Royal Highland Show one last time before dispersal

John Christie began showing Suffolks at the Royal Highland Show in 1981, so it was a dream come true when he finally won the breed champion title at Ingliston 19 years later, in 2000

Lynsey Clark
clock 11 June 2026 • 7 min read