ITHACA, N.Y. — Dairy One has recently partnered with Acumen Detection to provide testing for Mycoplasma bovis. With a prompt and convenient way to test for this type of mastitis, farms have the ability to catch Mycoplasma bovis before it becomes a larger problem in their herd.
“Working with our DHI Field Technicians and the Dairy One Animal Health Diagnostic (AHD) Laboratory, our customers will be able to make critical decisions that make a difference in animal care,” said Kimberly Walker, Director of Analytical Services, “The information gathered from these test results can have a significant impact on our customers.”
Mycoplasma bovis is a pathogen that can cause a contagious, non-treatable form of mastitis. Acumen Detection has worked over several years to create a test that would identify the DNA associated with this type of mastitis. Through a submitted milk sample, the AHD Lab performs analysis testing that uses PCR technology to find the specific DNA signature of this disease. In a recent peer-reviewed study, this test was shown to be 98% sensitive and 100% specific to Mycoplasma bovis, while culture was only 52% sensitive on the same samples. Cows whose samples show DNA associated with Mycoplasma bovis can be quickly identified so that a confirmatory aseptic sample can determine if they are infected and potentially contagious. Dairy One’s DHI technicians can work with dairies to select test-day samples automatically for test-day screening. The protocol for chronic somatic cell counts is available now, and protocols for selecting fresh, purchased, pre-dry and clinical animals are planned.
Dairies not currently testing their milk with Dairy One or anyone who would like to submit samples between test days can still use this service. Call 607.252.7575 or email [email protected] for sample submittal details.
The mission of Dairy One is to create and deliver data and information which will be used to make profit-enhancing decisions for members of the agricultural community. The mission of Acumen Detection, Inc. (a division of DFA Farm Services), is to offer sensitive, specific, convenient, and cost-effective reagents to the dairy industry to enable producers to improve milk quality, herd health, and farm viability and profitability.
–Dairy One Cooperative Inc.
