Summary
This project, using data from the OJD risk factor study (MLA OJD.038), investigated the combined effect of management and soil risk factors on the level of OJD expression in 92 infected flocks. It sought to clarify the respective importance of management and soil risk factors in order to direct refinement of recommendations for on-farm control of OJD. Several management factors (particularly related to lamb and weaner management and biosecurity) and one soil factor (organic carbon %) were retained in composite models showing that they strongly influence OJD infection level in infected flocks. Producers should be advised of the importance of identified management strategies in on-farm OJD control and the link between soil organic matter content and OJD be investigated further.
