The J-BAS is a voluntary risk profiling tool developed for use in the new approach to JD in beef cattle.
Currently under the transitional arrangement, all beef herds from JD-free herds from South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland and herds that qualified as beef only from Tasmania and Victoria have been allocated a J-BAS of 7.
To maintain J-BAS 7 a producer must implement an on-farm biosecurity plan, oversighted by a veterinarian, by 30 June 2017 and conduct a triennial Check Test.
If producers in these areas do not wish to undertake testing or utilise a veterinary adviser to oversight their on farm biosecurity plan, they can still maintain a score of 6 by implementing their own biosecurity plan before 30 June 2017.
If nothing is done by producers by 30 June 2017, their herds’ J-BAS will drop to 0, the same status as infected and suspected herds.
After 30 June 2017, producers will need to have a biosecurity plan in place for 5 years before they are again eligible for the higher scores of 6 or more.
A biosecurity plan for J-BAS should take into account a general biosecurity plan that covers the farm for exotic and endemic diseases as well as JD specific practices like the risk from sheep with JD and high risk cattle like dairy cattle. When buying cattle look for the Cattle Health Declaration where the J-BAS is recorded along with information on a whole suite of diseases that can impact your business.
LBN has developed a biosecurity plan template for producers to use for their on-farm biosecurity planning.
LBN is running a webinar to explain the new changes and biosecurity workshops in Victoria for anyone wanting to put in place a biosecurity plan in June.
Webinar: Johne’s disease in beef cattle the way forward
Thursday, 1 June 2017
Register: http://tinyurl.com/IBN-
LBN is also running the following workshops for Victorian producers, which will cover biosecurity planning, Johne’s disease prevention and how to maintain a high J-BAS.
Farm biosecurity planning workshops
Wednesday 14 June – Warragul
Thursday 15 June – Benalla
Friday 23 June – Hamilton
Register: https://jbasworkshops.
More information on JD in cattle and the J-BAS is available from:
- Animal Health Australia – https://www.
animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ jd-cattle-tools/ - Farm Biosecurity Project – www.farmbiosecurity.com.au
- New arrangements for import of cattle to WA and the NT:
https://nt.gov.au/industry/
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/
To bolster biosecurity on your farm, download the free FarmBiosecurity app or contact one of our Biosecurity & Extension Managers:
- Dr Pat Kluver (VIC): pkluver@lbn.org.au or 0499 077 213.
- Rachel Gordon (NSW): rgordon@lbn.org.au or
0488 400 207 - Rachael O’Brian (QLD): robrien@lbn.org.au or
0418 7224 61 - Frances Gartrell (WA): fgartrell@lbn.org.au or
0497 700 113
Source: Dr Pat Kluver, Livestock Biosecurity Network Manager Biosecurity & Extension
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