We know that this season to date has been particularly challenging with mastitis levels and SCC higher than usual.
For clinical and subclinical mastitis (diagnosed either via paddle or herd testing), we can test these to determine which bug is causing the mastitis and give recommendations for the best treatment options.
We now have a couple of different testing options available, both in-clinic or sent to the lab, so if you are wanting to get some milk samples tested, please make sure you tell us if they are clinical, subclinical or if they have received antibiotics so we can run the correct test.
It is also really important to ensure that when you take the milk sample, it is as clean as possible. Check the bottom of the pottle for flecks of poo and, if there are any, please take a fresh sample in a new pottle.
A refresher on taking a sterile milk sample is below. Remember to take the sample before any antibiotics are given:
Wear gloves.
Keep lid on the pottle until teat is cleaned.
Clean teats to be sampled with teat wipes or alcohol swabs, paying particular attention to the teat end. No dirt should be visible on the last wipe used.
Strip the first 3 squirts from the teat onto the platform. This will remove any excess clots and contaminants from the teat canal.
Open the pottle and hold at an angle to the teat to prevent dust and dirt getting into the pottle. Do not touch the inside of the pottle. Hold the pottle behind the cow, not underneath the udder.
Collect milk into the pottle, 10–20ml is plenty. Check there is no dirt in the sample (no floaties or grit when viewed from below).
Immediately put the lid on the pottle.
Label the milk sample with the cow number, quarter affected and date.
Refrigerate until the sample is brought in to us.
Change gloves between cows, if you are sampling multiple.
Otherwise, check out this short video, which is great to show to all farm staff so everyone is following the correct technique (watch from 4.46).
