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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-01-21, Page 3News Johne's disease posing a risk for beef producers that has potential to be as devastating as Mad Cow ()Ale NurPni E1Tosita ,l1t. ,'AWwxy 21, 2009e EMS 3 Dan Schwab 411111111.1111110 During the Huron County Beef Producers Association annual meet- ing in Brussels last week, president Harvey Hog- gart urged all members to get informed about a potentially destructive menace that could have devastating effects simi- lar to those of Mad Cow `disease. Johne's disease (pro- nounced "yo -knees") is a contagious and poten- tially fatal infection that primarily affects the small intestine of cattle and other animals. Hoggart said there is • Neil Vincent, a farmer in Wing - ham, said the disease is spread on dairy farms when a calf milks from an infected cow. "We're not sure if there's any way to get it out of the beef herd except by plain depop- ulating," Vincent said. "It going to be very dif- ficult.", Another beef ` pro- ducer at the meeting noted that he's seen Johne's disease in his herd for 15-20 years and said he's spoken with veterinarians about it, who've told him they're "baffled." Ralph Scott, a . beef `We're not sure if there's any way to get it out of the beef herd except by depopulating,' Neil Vincent Wingham farmer some speculation that the same type of bacteria that causes Johne's disease is a cause of Crohn's disease in humans, which is an in- flammatory disease of the digestive system with such symptoms as vom- iting.and diarrhea. "If that link ever gets proven, it has the ability of a horrible disease just the same as tuberculosis or Mad Cow," Hoggart said. "Johne's disease is not quite as big of a problem as it is in the dairy industry, but it's some- thing we should really watch for and try to get rid of if we can." producer from Blyth, says the dairy industry has received funding to combat the disease, and he put forward a resolution to the association that the Ontario Cattle- men's Association- ask for similar funding for the beef industry. The funding could be used to test the extent of, the disease and to cull the animals that have it, Scott said. But the resolution was put on hold after Curtis Royal, a representative from the OCA told the group the Dairy Producers of Ontario are hold- ing an annual meeting at the end of the month, where they'll discuss the issue. Royal says if the DPO has a plan tt Tax -Free Savings Account to combat the disease, beef produc- ers should look at ways of piggyback- ing onto the initiative to help in their `4, -- own =own sector. Hoggart offered to loan out to any y interested association members an instructional DVD by Dr. Mike Col- lins, an expert on the disease, from the University of Wisconsin. Snet_e, your money with our Tax -Free c Hags Account and save for anything hear; Ciesires. Start saving tax-free today! myunited.ca Harvey Hoggart Llxda Reauirte 1)a++gn Con ilsnt Wut Coast kitchens.. And Much Mare • Custom Vanities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices • Kitchens Bob Smyth blgn Consultant I. cc Dries £recline {bedroom suites . Sig Oftlit 'sIG Ns & C()UNTERT()PS Visit Our Shown Dom' 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 • 1-866-440-0352 Goderich & Maria Chamber of C'otnmercr nusrness of the Year Award 200 1:nisII; ueStcuastkit @vshletc.an.rn 4 A 4. 4 . 4 AY FRIDAY to' IURDAY 9"" to 4P" noww.•wA••sawsw•rV rtr♦M'f°r!1►r► rr!. vv. r N.i•Ir .n•i!0•i.rr .y v. or•fitdot w I► r M A d 00 r•••r•. 1