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

Why Address Milk Quality Issues:

A high Somatic Cell Count (SCC) is directly related to the prevalence of mastitis in a herd.
The average cost of mastitis to be approximately $180 per cow.
Udder health and mastitis are the number one reasons why cows are culled.

Advantages of Testing:

Premium for low SCC
Increased production
Decreased health risk with herd additions
Decreased replacement cost

TESTS OFFERED

Bulk Tank Samples

Bulk tank samples are used to monitor milk quality and to troubleshoot mastitis problems. Culturing a bulk tank sample on a monthly basis identifies prevalent mastitis organisms. The test results can then be used to implement mastitis prevention efforts, and bacterial numbers and ranges are reported. The report also includes some management considerations for the different types of mastitis.

Individual Cow Cultures

Individual cow cultures are used to determine the bacterial cause of mastitis. Knowing which bacteria involved is instrumental in treatment and management of mastitis.

Antibiotic Sensitivity

Antibiotic sensitivity is used to determine which antibiotics should be effective in the treatment of the bacteria cultured.

Bedding Cultures

Bedding cultures are used to determine the bacteria present in the bedding and give an estimate of the magnitude.

Wash Rag Cultures

Wash rag cultures are used to detect bacteria that may be transmitted from cow to cow by the wash rag if a common towel is being used.

Bulk Tank Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)

This test is a screening test done on a bulk tank milk sample. It is a very accurate way of detecting whether any cows are shedding this devastating virus. If the result is positive, the cows should be individually tested to determine which cow is shedding the virus. BVD is a ubiquitous disease that can cause a range of symptoms such as pneumonia, abortion, diarrhea, and death.

Bulk Tank Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV)

This polymerase chain reaction test is a screening test to detect the presence of the virus that causes the blood-borne disease Bovine Leukosis. The sample is run on a bulk tank sample (5 mL. minimum). The National Animal Health Monitoring System survey in 1996 revealed that 88.6% of dairy herds, a total of 43% of the cows in these herds were infected with BLV. Although the infection numbers are high, only about 5% of the infected cows develop clinical disease. The clinical signs are the development of tumors (lymph sarcoma), enlarged lymph nodes, or an elevated white blood cell count. The virus may also depress the immune system and inhibit the ability to fight other diseases. For more information on BLV clinical signs, prevention, and control, please visit: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/EP51.pdf.