D A I R Y I n i t i a t i v e s N E W S L E T T E R
V o l u m e 8 I s s u e 2 F a l l 1 9 9 9

Bulk Tank Testing

Why and How?

Mastitis is a silent thief. It can rob you of much-needed profits before you even know you have a problem. Bulk tank cultures offer a quick and relatively inexpensive way to detect problems early so you can resolve them before they make big trouble for you.

Why Test?

Bulk tank testing tells you about the bacteria in milk. The kinds and amounts of bacteria provide clues as to how you can reduce or prevent mastitis problems:

Bacteria Type	Source	Solution
Strep. ag.	infected udders	use separate towels to wash/dry; use teat dip; treat dry cows
Staph. aureus	infected udders	use separate towels to wash/dry; use teat dip; treat dry cows; cull chronically infected cows; establish milking order
Non-ag. Strep.	environment	keep barn and lot cleaner; milk only clean, dry cows; avoid air leaks and liner slips; change bedding often
Coliforms	environment	keep barn and lot cleaner; milk only clean, dry cows; avoid air leaks and liner slips; change bedding often; keep cows standing an hour or two after milking
Staph. epi.	skin, bedding	improve teat dipping and cow prep; change bedding more often

How to Test

To get the most out of your bulk tank sampling program, follow these suggestions:

1. Take samples for four to five days in a row.

2. Agitate the tank before sampling.

3. Take sample with a sterile syringe and needle or vial. Sample from the top of the tank to avoid contamination from the outlet valve. If this is impossible in your situation, allow a gallon or two of milk to flow through before you take the sample.

4. Freeze the sample immediately and pack it so that it will stay frozen until it reaches the diagnostic laboratory.

5. If results really don't mesh with the rest of what you know or think about your herd, you may want to redo the test later or sample individual cows with high somatic cell counts to provide further information.

The Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory offers mastitis testing kits. The kits include sample vials, a gel ice pack, an instruction sheet, and submission forms. To obtain a kit or for more information, contact your veterinarian, or the Laboratory for Udder Health by phone at 800-605-8787 or email: mastlab@tc.umn.edu

Get Out of the Rut

IS MUD A PROBLEM in your livestock areas during spring thaw and wet weather? The solution may be geotextile fabrics. These polypropylene fabrics are installed below the surface of the soil in lanes and other high traffic areas to increase stability and reduce mud trouble.

You can learn more about geotextiles and how they can help you in MidWest Plan Service's new publication, Using All-Weather Geotextile Lanes and Pads. To obtain a copy, send a check payable to the University of Minnesota for $4 per single copy plus 6.5 percent sales tax for Minnesota residences to:

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
University of Minnesota
Attn: MWPS
219 BioAgEng Bldg.
1390 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

Ask for Publication AED-45.

For additional information, call 612-625-9733.

D A I R Y I n i t i a t i v e s N E W S L E T T E R
Volume 8 Issue 2 Fall 1999