Johne's Risk Assessor

Functionality & Mechanism

This digital risk assessment tool from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine digitizes the nationally standardized Johne's Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP). The platform guides veterinarians through a sequential, seven-tab evaluation of herd history and management practices, from calving to adult replacements. It then calculates a herd score distribution and generates a customized management plan PDF, streamlining the process of identifying and mitigating disease transmission risks for both dairy and beef cattle.

Development & Context

• The app was developed by the Food Animal Production Medicine program at the University of Wisconsin as part of a larger suite of digital tools for modern farming.
• It was created to convert an established paper-based assessment system into a more portable and efficient digital format for use in the field.
• The news coverage notes that this project originated from a university grant intended to create teaching modules for veterinary students on clinical rotations.
• By March 2019, the developer's full suite of agricultural apps had collectively accumulated nearly 900 downloads across 40 different countries.

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is designed for veterinarians to use in collaboration with dairy and beef cattle producers to assess and manage Johne's disease risks. It facilitates the creation of a management plan based on herd-specific data. The content is intended for educational and biosecurity planning purposes; information is derived from developer materials and news coverage, not peer-reviewed efficacy studies.