“Johne’s – Moving the agenda forward”
A joint Dairy UK - DairyCo conference to be held
on Wednesday, 10th October 2012 at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester
Johne’s disease is prevalent throughout the world’s major dairying regions. It is difficult to control and can have
serious impacts on herds in terms of reduced milk yields, increased somatic cell counts, reduced fertility,
premature culling and reduced immunity to other diseases - all resulting in significant implications for the welfare
of the herd and economic losses.
A joint Dairy UK - DairyCo conference, to be chaired by Rex Ward, will review the significant progress that has
been made in increasing farmer’s awareness of the problem since the first Dairy UK conference was held at the
end of 2009 and, equally importantly, suggest the direction that should be taken for future activities and what
should be done to further progress the UK strategy.
We are delighted that Søren Saxmose Nielsen from the University of Copenhagen, who designed the Danish
control programme (which has heavily influenced the UK approach to controlling the disease), will be present to
give an insight into the progress that has been made in Denmark since he presented at the first conference.
Peter Orpin, a partner of a large mixed animal practice in Leicestershire, will discuss the detection and control of
Johne’s and Dick Sibley, sole Principal of West Ridge Veterinary Practice, will explain what questions you
should ask when buying new animals.
Further presentations will be given by DairyCo Board Member Richard Davis, outlining the Animal Health and
Welfare Board for England’s approach to bovineTB (and the possible implications for Johne’s), Ben Bartlett from
NML, examining the potential economic losses that can result from the disease being present and DairyCo’s
Karen Lancaster, who will discuss how the Johne’s Action Group is helping to coordinate the different veterinary
approaches.
Understanding what can actually be achieved, by learning from the practical approaches that have been adopted
by dairy farmers and their vets, and what they expect of each other, is an essential part of determining what is
possible in a control programme and this will be covered extensively in the afternoon session, where we will also
hear about a questionnaire that has been produced to understand better farmer’s awareness of Johne’s and how
to manage the disease.
The day will conclude with a panel discussion, with contributions from the floor, and we are interested in hearing
your proposals.
The conference is directed at farmers, farm advisors, animal health bodies, retailers, auctioneers, veterinarians,
farm liaison personnel, government agency representatives, dairy companies and industry consultants.
To register please e-mail Ian Wakeling at iwakeling@dairyuk.org giving your name, company, position and
mobile no. An invoice will then be raised for the small conference registration fee of £45 plus VAT. There are
also a limited number of exhibition spaces available for any company/organisation that wishes to promote its
services or products. If you are interested in finding out more about exhibiting, please e-mail Ian Wakeling or
phone 020 7467 2621.
Provisional Programme
9.15 – 10.00
Registration
10.00 – 10.10
Introduction by conference Chairman
Rex Ward – Dairy farmer / Chair of Dairy UK’s Farmers’ Forum
10.10 – 10.25
Johne’s Action Group – Why was it set up and what has been achieved?
Dr Ed Komorowski – Technical Director, Dairy UK
10.25 – 10.45
What is the prevalence in GB and what is the economic impact?
Ben Bartlett – NMR Business Development Manager
10.45 – 11.10
Johne’s – Have I got it, how do I control it?
Peter Orpin – Director: Myhealthyherd.com / Partner: Park Vet Group
11.10
COFFEE
11.25 - 12.05
The Danish experience
Søren Saxmose Nielsen – University of Copenhagen, Denmark /
Danish Johne’s Disease Control Programme
12.05 – 12.30
The Animal Health and Welfare Board for England’s approaches to bovine TB
and Johne’s
Richard Davis – Dairy and arable farmer / AHWBE board member /
DairyCo board member
12.30 - 1.30
LUNCH
1.30 – 2.00
Farmers’ experiences
Speakers to be confirmed
2.00 – 2.40
Farmers’ Groups
Stimulating initial interest
Speaker to be confirmed
Managing the longer term
Paul Charlton – Membership Technical Manager, Milk Link
2.40 – 2.55
Veterinary perspectives - Bringing together different approaches
Karen Lancaster – Technical Extension Officer, DairyCo
2.55 – 3.05
Surveying farmers’ attitudes
Dr Steven van Winden - Head of Farm Animal Health and Production Group, RVC
3.05 – 3.25
Buying cattle, what questions to raise
Dick Sibley – Director: Myhealthyherd.com / West Ridge Veterinary Practice Ltd
3.25 – 4.00
What do we still need to do?
Panel discussion with questions from floor
4.00
CLOSING REMARKS
Directions
The venue is Sixways Stadium, Warriors Way, Worcester, WR3 8ZE which is just off Junction 6 of the M5
motorway.
Alternatively take a train to either Worcester Shrub Hill Station or Worcester Foregate Street Station and
then a 15 minute ride in a taxi.
Registration
To register for the conference please e-mail iwakeling@dairyuk.org giving your name, company, position
and mobile no. An invoice will then be raised for the conference registration fee of £45 plus VAT.
Alternatively use this page to fax Dairy UK on 0207 487 4734
Name
______________________________
Company
______________________________
Position
______________________________
Mob no.
______________________________