Your 2021 Whole Herd Test for Irish Johne’s Control Programme

All herds in the Johne’s programme in 2021 are required to undertake a whole herd test.

This is conducted on milk or blood samples taken from all animals in the herd aged two years or more.

If you intend to use milk samples, you should contact your milk recording organisation (Munster Bovine, Progressive Genetics or Tipperary Co-op) immediately to arrange this.  Samples collected in mid-lactation are more suitable for Johne’s testing than those in early or late lactation, so do not delay.  All you need to know about testing using milk samples is described in a “Planning your Milk Test” fact sheet here.

If you intend to use blood samples, contact the veterinary practitioner who you nominated for the programme, to arrange that testing.

Make sure that you account for every eligible animal on your farm in this testing. You can use your Johne’s screen on ICBF to list the animals to be tested, or if you’re not sure how to do that call your vet.

You can have animals which are non-breeding and held entirely separately from your breeding herd exempted from testing.  This only applies to animals such as beef animals held on a separate land parcel or feedlot, but not to animals such as cull cows, bulls or un-calved heifers which have been or will be part of your dairy herd.  To exempt animals from the testing requirement, complete and submit the exemption form here

If you are unsure whether to proceed with testing, read why you should in the “10 good reasons” fact sheet here.

The deadline for starting your 2021 herd test is 31 December 2021. An extension until 31st January 2022 applies only for completing testing which had already started in 2021 and for completing VRAMPs. A herd test that starts in January 2022 will count towards 2022 programme requirements.

For further information, contact:

  • Your approved veterinary practitioner in the Johne’s programme
  • Your milk recording organisation:
    • Munster Bovine – phone Aishling on 022 43228
    • Progressive Genetics – 046-9540606
    • Tipperary Co-op – 062-32000
  • The IJCP Herdowner Flowchart here