Johne's disease (Paraturberculosis) is chronic wasting disease of ruminants, caused by infection with Mycobacterium Paraturberculosis. Infections occur mostly in young animals by fecal contamination of the pasture. Infected animals can shed billions of JD bacteria per day, however, due to the prolonged incubation period, most clinical signs occur only in adult animals between 2 and 5 years of age.

    

There are two major strains of Johne's disease: Bovine Johne's Disease (BJD), which affects cattle, and Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD), which affects sheep. Goats can be infected with, and be carriers of, both strains, but normally only show clinical signs when infected with BJD.

 

In contrast to BJD, where currently no confirmed cases exist in WA, OJD has become quite widespread. South West Shires (e.g. Kojonup, Arthur River, Plantagenet and Williams) have the highest incidence of OJD.

 

To avoid an infection of our herd with OJD, and also to avoid contributing to further spreading the disease, we decided in August 2018 to discontinue our breeding service.