Farm & Ranch
Johne’s Disease in Cattle
By Barry Whitworth, DVM/Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma
In 1895, Dr. F. Harmes was presented with a cow that exhibited symptoms of weight loss and diarrhea. He initially diagnosed tuberculosis (TB), but when the cow was tested for TB, the tuberculin test was negative. Upon the death of the cow, he sent some tissue samples to the pathology unit at the veterinary school in Dresden, Germany. Dr. Heindrick A. Johne and Dr. Langdon Frothingham examined the samples. The small intestine was thickened, and the lymph nodes were enlarged. These lesions were considered to be tuberculosis type lesions.
The two scientists performed another TB test which again was negative. The two-scientist proposed another mycobacterium was causing the disease. Today the disease is known as Johne’s disease, and the bacterium is classified as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, commonly referred to as MAP.
To read more pick up a copy of the February 2020 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
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