Johne’s Average Test Values now available from SRUC Premium Cattle Health Scheme

Phase III of the National Johne's Management Plan (NJMP) for GB dairy farms came into force on 31 March, 2025. Farms require an Average Test Value (ATV) for completion of their annual NJMP declaration, which is itself a requirement for the Red Tractor scheme.

For those dairies choosing to use blood samples rather than quarterly milk testing for Johne’s, PCHS will report an ATV for whole herd screens (for example, those taken for the Johne’s Certification Programme to get a Risk Level), or from 60-cow random screens.

ATVs obtained from blood samples can be used to track progress with Johne’s control within individual herds over time, however they cannot be compared to the national Johne’s Control Index for benchmarking, which is calculated from milk sample results.

If a blood sample ATV is used on a NJMP declaration form, please select Whole Herd Screen or Random 60 Cow Sample as appropriate and annotate clearly BLOOD TEST next to the tick box.

Please get in touch with HealthSchemes@sruc.ac.uk if you would like any guidance with this.

Posted by SRUC Veterinary Services on 20/05/2025