Rural Technologies, Incorporated

Our vision is to provide quality services and accurate results
to our clients in a timely manner.

Heartland Milk Labs
1008 32nd Ave.
Brookings SD 57006

Phone: 605.692.5960
Fax: 605.692.5960
heartland@brookings.net

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

Collect 1 sample per day for 5 days in a row to increase the chances of detecting organisms that are shed intermittently. Agitate the tank for 5 minutes prior to collecting the sample from the top of the tank. Do not collect milk from the outlet valve. Use a sterile dipper or a sterile syringe to fill a snap–top vial 1/2 full (5 mL minimum). Do not touch the milk or the inside of the sterile container. Label the sample vial with the date. Close the cap and immediately freeze the sample. To ship, place samples in an insulated container with frozen ice packs.

The samples may thaw during transit, but must remain cold. The 5 samples will be combined at the lab once thawed. If samples are warm when received at the lab, they will not be processed, as the counts will be falsely elevated. Please contact the lab if you would like to purchase an insulted box with freezer packs or sterile vials for submitting samples.

TECHNIQUE VIDEO:
http://www.uwex.edu/milkquality/Milk_Labs

Individual Cow Sampling Technique

Wear latex gloves to decrease contaminants. Take the sample prior to milking the cow. Clean and dry the teats as you would for normal preparation, then scrub the teat end with alcohol. Allow any alcohol reaming on the teat end to dry. Discard two squirts of milk prior to sampling. Fill the vial 1/2 full (2 mL minimum). Avoid using whirl pack bags. Do not touch the inside of the sample vial. Tighten the lid/cap, and label with a waterproof marker, then refrigerate or freeze. Send in an insulated container with frozen ice packs.

TECHNIQUE VIDEO:
http://www.uwex.edu/milkquality/Milk_Labs/index.htm

Wash Rag Sampling Technique

Where clean latex gloves, or sleeve, to decrease contaminants. Randomly select wash rag(s) to be cultured. Place each wash rag in a clean plastic bag. The wash rag should be refrigerated or frozen immediately after collection. Send wash rags in an insulated container with frozen ice packs. Fill empty spaces with crumpled paper (i.e. newspaper). Samples should be frozen or cold upon arrival at the lab.

Bedding Sampling Technique

Wear clean latex gloves or sleeve to decrease contaminants. Randomly select 2 cups (a large handful) of bedding from 4 to 6 areas. Select areas where the udder would lie and avoid manure or other dirty areas. When collecting sand bedding, try to sample surface bedding that is no deeper than one inch down. Carefully sweep the surface into a small pile and collect the pile. Place bedding sample in a clean plastic bag. The samples should be refrigerated or frozen immediately after collection. Send bedding samples in an insulated container with frozen ice packs. Fill empty spaces with crumpled paper (i.e. newspaper). Samples should be frozen or cold upon arrival at the lab.

NOTES:

Antibiotic sensitivities are available upon request. Please specify which sample and isolate.
Avoid weekend and holiday shipments. Samples received on Friday will be plated on Monday.
All samples will be discarded when reported. Isolates will be held for 2 days after reporting.
Further keying is available upon request. Additional charges will be applied.
For special request, or if submitting more than 50 samples, please notify the lab 7 days in advance.
Mycoplasma will be pooled in groups of 5 unless specified to do individually. Results will be reported 10-14 days following submission.
Samples to be cultured can be chilled or frozen on arrival, although a fresh chilled sample is preferred.