Johne's test could be a major saver
Auckland-based biotechnology company Pictor Limited says it has been developing an accurate and affordable multiplexed diagnostic test for Johne's disease.
A promising new test for Johne’s disease in dairy cattle has been developed at the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) and School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast.
The new test is said to be both more rapid and sensitive in detecting the infectious agent (MAP) of Johne’s in veterinary specimens.
It is showing greater detection capability than the milk-ELISA test that is currently used. Crucially, it detects live infectious agent, not just antibodies against MAP as are detected by milk-ELISA.
In a recent study, the new test was able to detect more infected animals by milk testing than milk-ELISA, so could potentially facilitate control of Johne’s faster.
As well as bovine milk, the new test can also be applied to faeces and blood from livestock.
The test was developed by Professor Irene Grant and her post-doctoral researcher Dr Antonio Foddai at IGFS and their research was published in the open-access journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. They hope to now move to the applied stage of the science with further development and validation of their test for MAP infection at farm level.
“As farmers will know, Johne’s disease is an endemic animal health issue worldwide, particularly in dairy herds,” Prof Grant says.
“It is certainly present in Northern Ireland dairy herds, but the true prevalence of Johne’s in the local context is not accurately known.”
Grant is hopeful the new test will offer more accurate, rapid and quantitative results.
“This will therefore help farmers and vets make more informed decisions about the infection status of animals in order to control the disease more effectively within herds,” she adds.
“I also hope it will generate more accurate data on the prevalence of Johne’s within Northern Ireland and therefore build a better picture of this animal-health problem.”
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats is set to acquire a 70% stake in Alliance Group, according to a report in The Irish Times.
New Zealand's red meat sector says the United States' decision to increase tariffs on New Zealand exports is disappointing.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
From nitrogen limits to ecosystem restoration –farmers and catchment groups are leading a new wave of environmental care, says DairyNZ.
OPINION: The Government's decision to stop local authorities going ahead with reviews of district and regional plans makes sense for several reasons.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…