News August - September 2019
Improve milk quality with Mastitis PCR testing Kelly Sporer, PhD, Research Scientist, CentralStar Cooperative
M
aintaining good udder health and keeping somatic cell counts (SCC) low requires you to have a big tool box full of options. One tool you may not be as familiar with, that offers a lot of utility, is the Mastitis PCR test. The Mastitis PCR test is extremely sensitive in identifying mastitis-causing organisms, and provides results within 48 hours of sample receipt – offering utility unlike any other method. Testing can be performed on routine DHI samples, or hand-stripped samples. The sensitivity of the test allows samples
1 2
Hospital Pen/ Treated Cows Analyze samples from cows in the hospital pen to identify culprit organisms to assist in developing a treatment plan. A bonus of PCR testing is it can be used on treated cows to determine if the infection has cleared. High/Chronic SCC Cows Three easy ways to monitor high SCC depending on your herd’s goals. 1) Establish a protocol with the Lab to test all high SCC cows (you set the threshold). Once the samples are processed, conduct a PCR test for further investigation. 2) Identify chronically infected cows using DHI records. If you are unsure how to generate this report, ask your DHI Specialist. 3) Establish a protocol with the Lab where samples are saved until you review the SCC Hotsheet and then communicate which animals to test.
to be pooled, reducing testing costs, with positive pools tested further to identify positive individuals. With two options available, Contagious 3 and Complete 16, PCR testing provides an easy opportunity to create a custom testing strategy to screen for and rapidly identify mastitis-causing pathogens in your herd. So many choices can be daunting, so here are four easy, tried and true ways to implement Mastitis PCR testing to improve your herd’s milk quality.
3
Bulk Tank/Pen Samples Not sure what the problem might be? Submit a sample from your bulk tank or specific pens to screen for problem organisms. Bulk tank/pen samples can be monitored month to month to provide baseline levels and identify spikes in pathogens.
4
Fresh Cows Test cows that have recently freshened, as they are at greatest risk for infection as a result of their immunosuppression during calving. Ask your DHI Specialist to identify all samples from cows fresh since last test day or hand-strip and submit your own samples.
BioFresh Bolus ®
• Designed to assist cows during times of stress. • Supplements a cow’s variable intake with critical vitamins and minerals. • Aids in immune function providing L-Form Lactobacillus, microbial sugars and specialized proteins.
SPECIAL
BUY 5 • GET 1
• Helps retain more milk and reduce SCC as shown through Southern Illinois University research.
FREE
Ask your CentralStar Specialist for more information
JULY 1 TO AUGUST 31, 2019
800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com BioFresh® Bolus is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc. and manufactured by Agrarian Solutions®
DNA testing for mastitis detection works in ways culture can’t.
Target Organism (Gram Staining) Staphylococcus aureus (+)
Contagious 3 Test
Complete 16 Test
X
X
X
X
X
Staphylococcus species (+) Streptococcus agalactiae (+)
Unlike Culture, DNA testing provides speed, convenience, versatility, improved detection and cost savings. With one sample, the Complete 16 Mastitis DNA test can detect both contagious and environmental organisms that cause over 95% of mastitis cases.
Streptococcus dysgalactiae (+)
X
Streptococcus uberis (+)
X
Escherichia coli (–)
X
Corynebacterium bovis (+)
X
Enterococcus faecalis & faecium (+)
X
Klebsiella pneumoniae & oxytoca (–)
X
Serratia marcescens (–)
X
Arcanobacterium pyogenes & Peptostreptococcus indolicus (+)
X
Staphylococcal beta-lactamase gene
X
Mycoplasma bovis Mycoplasma species
To learn more call 800.631.3510 or visit www.mycentralstar.com.
X
X X
Yeast
X
Prototheca species
X
Ask about monitoring your herd’s health and reproduction with... 800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com