Waste Not, Want Not Protect Your Flock with Gudair

Spring is a good time to set your replacement hoggets up for success.

What is Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD)?

OJD is a chronic, wasting disease of sheep, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. It is estimated to effect 75% of sheep flocks in NZ. It flies under the radar until older ewes start exhibiting weight loss, poor wool quality, reduced fertility, and eventually death. By the time you see signs, the disease has usually been in your flock for years. Younger animals can carry and shed the bacteria well before clinical signs appear.

How do they get OJD?

The disease is picked up when lambs ingest faeces containing the bacteria. It lies dormant, then causes disease at around 3-4 years old.

Is there Johnes in my flock?

OJD can be diagnosed through taking bloods and/or faecal samples from a few lean ewes.

Why vaccinate?

Vaccination with Gudair will significantly reduce shedding of Johnes bacteria. Less shedding means less environmental contamination and fewer new infections. Over time, this translates into fewer clinical cases and better ewe performance.

Fine wool flocks experience almost 3 times mortality rates compared to strong wool flocks. In these instances, a return on investment in vaccination of $4.20 : 1 has been shown.

Vaccination timing?

1 shot = lifetime coverage. Vaccinate replacement hoggets off shears.