Collecting and transporting samples
| Total Bacterial Count (TBC)/Bactoscan Investigation | Mastitis Bacteriology Investigation | Somatic Cell Counts |
| Kit | ||
| Polystyrene box, ice packs, sterile
sample pots. Ice bricks must be frozen for at least 24 hours prior to sampling. |
Sterile sample pots, chinagraph pencil for marking pots. | Sample pots containing preservative, bulk tank dippers, boxes for returning samples, chinagraph pencil. |
| Pots | ||
| One marked sample per tank. | Write each sample/quarter on the pot. | Each pot must have a cow number and contain preservative. |
| Hygiene | ||
| Keep out dirt and other contaminants. Do not touch sample with fingers. |
Keep out dirt and other contaminants. Do not touch sample with fingers. |
Keep out dirt and other contaminants. Do not touch sample with fingers. |
| Taking the sample | ||
| Agitate tank for 2-3 minutes. Ensure temperature is below 4°C. Use sterile dipper or dip pot into tank using gloved hand. Fill the sample pot, at least 20ml is required. Refrigerate sample until sending. |
Collect immediately before milking. Clean/dry udder using paper towels Discard 1 or 2 streams, then take sample. Fill bottle 1? 2 full. Do not let teat or your fingers touch the rim. Replace cap tightly. |
Collect from mixed milk, on one milking. Agitate milk sample for 15 seconds. Allow the milk down the line. Milk meters used in clean line will take samples throughout milking which can then be collected in pots. Bulk Sample: Agitate bulk tank for at least 2 minutes. Use clean dipper. Clearly identify sample. |
| Sending | ||
| Place pots in polystyrene box between 2 ice packs provided. Fill spaces with polystyrene chips. Include paperwork. Send by 1st class or via carrier for next day delivery. |
Refrigerate sample to +4°C. Post first class to laboratory. Or freeze immediately and store until dispatched as a batch to the lab. |
Pack securely in boxes provided. |
Farmers Guides
- Optimising the milking routine
- Basic mastitis types and control
- Probability of cure following intramammary antibiotic treatment
- Improving udder health around
drying off - Udder Examination
- California Mastitis Test
- Technique for infusion of a combination of dry cow antibiotic and OrbeSeal®
- Sterile milk sampling for bacteriology
- Collecting and transporting samples
- Risks of feeding dump milk to calves