Key areas of scientific investigation
Outcomes from the JDRC science programme are described in the JDRC Research and Development Record, a 2016 publication chronicling the work of the consortium.
The science plan was focused on providing tools for the New Zealand farming community and livestock industries to improve control of Johne’s disease across the sheep, beef, deer and dairy industries. Where possible, observations from overseas experience was incorporated to allow more rapid progress.
Funding by species
The plan had 5 broad areas of investigation:
DIAGNOSTICS
Diagnosis of the disease can be difficult and this investment was focussed on improving our understanding of diagnostic techniques for the management of the disease in New Zealand livestock.
HERD MANAGEMENT
The focus of the research programme was the development of practical management techniques to minimise the spread of the disease and help reduce its impact on-farm.
OTHER
Alongside the R&D programme the JDRC looked at topics of interest to industry to ensure New Zealand had a thorough understanding of the disease in the New Zealand context.
FUNDAMENTALS
Johne’s is a complex disease and this investment in fundamental science helped us learn more about the organism and how the infection behaves.
GENETICS
Evidence suggests that some animals are more resistant to Johne's than others. This investment was to developknowledge of genetics as a a potential method for disease control.
